Shell burrowing... dead? Alive? New hermie mom

[BrandiC728]

So I'm not exactly sure what to do, my daughter brought 2 hermit crabs home from the fair so the first chance I got I immediately got them a tank and set it up according to proper tank set up in the FAQ I found. First couple days were great, the crabs were eating and running around at night, husband is a third shifter so he kept an eye on them at night, our furnace ended up going out though which meant it got cold in our house fast and I know they are nocturnal and the one thing I didn't have was a night heat light or heat pad so their tank ended up a little chilly. Now the one is still super active especially tonight with new foliage and hide away log. But the smaller one of the two has burrowed himself into his shell really deep. I'm trying so hard NOT to fidget with him since I don't even know what's wrong with him but my husband says he didn't move at night and I was home all day and he didn't even twitch. I can see him in his shell so he is in there but hes so deep I'm worried he curled up and died. can anyone tell me what's going on? Thank you so much, my daughter has already put all her allowance into this and they are actually pretty cool so I'd like to upgrade the tank and get more but if we aren't cut out to be hermie parents I don't want them to suffer

[PinchersAndShells]

If he is just curled up into the shell it is likely that he is just fine. Keep an eye on him, there is a possibility that he is weak and could surface molt. As long as there is no dead fish smell then he is still alive.
You could try offering him healing foods in bottle caps close by. Good foods would be organic raw honey, bee pollen, oyster shell or cuttlebone, and peanut butter. These might give him some energy.

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[BrandiC728]

I have been making sure I put healing foods in near him on small dishes, I've added things to the tat like two glass bowls of water (salt and fresh) and a moss pit but have made sure to cover him with a large broken shell I got from the ocean years ago after cleaning it. He has not moved in days. We are getting a 29g tank ready this weekend to move them into and get more crabs as the other crab seems to be thriving but definitely wants more room and fun things to do. Should I leave him in the 10g and use it as isolation? I read that it could take 2-3 weeks before they are fully done molting. I'm not sure how true this is so I'm curious as what I can do help him through this process. He is literally in the same place (the area around him is not disturbed) since the day I posted this.


Foods have included oats, honey, fresh veggies, egg shells crushed fine, boiled egg (switched out after a few hours so it didn't spoil).

[curlysister]

When they molt, they shed their hard exoskeleton and then need the new exo to harden - this can take much longer than just a couple of weeks. This is usually do this when they are buried under the substrate. If they are doing this above ground, there is something seriously wrong. If he hasn't shed his exo, he is not molting. If you can fill in the emergency template, we can help trouble shoot.

http://www.hermitcrabassociation.com/ph ... 27&t=46102

[BrandiC728]

Unfortunately after waiting a few weeks I decided to dip him in water to see if that would make him at least move, one of his legs came out and an AWFUL death smell emanated from his shell... he had passed. Thanks for your help though.

[fandt94]

Oh no! So sorry to hear this....unfortunately it happens ...these guys go through so much before they even get to us. We brought 2 home with us from FL back in late July and unfortunate neither of them made it, although one hung on for quite some time. The other 4 we got after those 1st two are all doing well so far.