SLKleem wrote:Hello, I am new to the forum and have 2 new crabs that came from a beach store. I have now learned that is not the right way to acquire these guys but am trying to do the best for them. I am so glad I found this site and am learning the right way first time around. I did acquire (for free) a 20 galllon high aquarium and now have the sand, ee, prime, instant ocean, 2 "pools" and a start at healthy food. These things are on order- 9 turbo shells (I did best I could with measuring) from Naples Sea Shell, thermometer/hygrometer, ultratherm uth, and a hut for hiding. Want to get them in the aquarium today even though I don't have all the important stuff yet. I have read that often these guys will dig down right away when they are put in a new home with proper substrate. It seems like I read somewhere that it is not necessarily very healthy for them to do that right away when they have been stressed so bad. Should I only put a little substrate in for a bit while they are able to access lots of healthy food and their pools, and destress while waiting for the rest of the supplies to arrive and then put the full depth of the substrate in? Also any particular foods good to give them a boost during this stressful time?
Thanks!!
Welcome to HCA!!! Yea for you for doing your research!!!
It's awesome that you care about your crabs enough to try and find out how to best take care of them!!!
You've given a great description of what you have and where you are in your crabitat setup. Considering what you've told us, I'd recommend putting in deep substrate right away. Burrowing in it, even if the tank's not perfect yet on the temperature and humidity, should really help them de-stress.
I'd recommend mixing up 6" deep substrate using 5:1 by volume ratio of playsand/eco-earth (that's basically 5 scoops of playsand to every one scoop of eco-earth), then moisten it to sandcastle consistency with dechlorinated marine saltwater mixed just like the Instant Ocean box says. You won't need much saltwater, maybe a liter (~quart) tops added a little at a time until you get the consistency correct. I recommend you mix up the sand and EE first, then moisten until the consistency is right. It's easy to add too much saltwater. You can mix it in a bowl, a bucket, or straight in your tank, but be sure to put down a sheet or shower curtain or something around the tank or mixing area to keep sand from getting all over your house. Also, I'd say place the empty tank where you want it to be and THEN add the substrate to the tank. That tank will get heavy real quickly once the substrate is in there.
If your EE comes in a brick, you'll need to expand it first. If you use saltwater to expand it, that will help prevent mold growth in the crabitat. It's recommended to use less water than the EE instructions say to expand the brick, then squeeze out the extra water until the EE holds its shape in your hand (kinda like damp potting soil). You might want to wear rubber gloves if you go at it with your hands, as the marine saltwater can irritate skin quickly.
Since you've got the Ultratherm on order, I wouldn't worry about temperature too much, just keep the tank as warm as you can while waiting. Bear in mind, you might consider getting a thermostat to keep your tank temperature stable. I use one for peace of mind, and it keeps my tank temp at 80-83F, but it may or may not be needed depending on your house conditions and how much you insulate your tank.
What kind of lid do you have? You can get started on getting their humidity right now, although once you get the tank temps up to 80F, it will help a lot with keeping humidity at 80%+. Cover holes in a reptile mesh lid with plastic wrap, press-n-seal, or use a glass lid and seal most of the air gaps. This should help humidity be higher, especially with the 5:1 playsand/ecoearth substrate moistened to sandcastle consistency. The crabs should love it! Even if it's not 80F yet, they will probably be ecstatic to see some properly moist substrate, and will happily dig down to de-stress. Having them dig down is a great thing, and healthy for them in the right substrate once they come home from the pet store.
Honey, cuttlebone, crushed egg shells, lots of protein (animal and otherwise), organic coconut oil (and anything on the safe food list) are great first foods for crabs that are stressed. Make sure you check out the food pyramid post by kilimanjaro as well as the safe food list. Protein should actually be the main stable of their diet. When I first started crabbing, that really surprised me. A good easy source of protein for me was dried krill or river shrimp that are sold in the reptile section of the pet store. As long as nothing is in the ingredients but krill or river shrimp, it should be safe. You can grind it up, stick it in a shell or a food dish, and many crabs will love it. Also scrambled egg is a big hit with my crabs, lots of protein and super easy to prepare. Just take one egg (organic if possible, if not use what you have), crack it into a microwaveable bowl, mix it up, and microwave for 1.5-2.0 minutes. That way there's no salt or butter or anything added, just the cooked egg. You can feed dime sized pieces and freeze the rest.
Let us know if you have any more questions. Best of luck!!!
