Crabs Never Out
Posted: Tue May 03, 2016 3:53 pm
Not technically a life threatening emergency, but I like the detailed question template/
I have 5 medium crabs in a 10 gallon tank. For the last 6-7 months they have been hanging out under the substrate. I can tell that someone comes up for food every once in a while (during the night) I can tell one is currently molting cause I cab see him from the bottom of the tank. I have done a head count maybe like every 6 weeks to see if they are still alive (They are). I believe the temperatures and humidity are appropriate. Very quiet around their housing during the day. (don't ask about the evening lol) Now, How do I get them to come out ?
1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it? ECHO EARTH - Loose coconut fiber = 6 INCHES
2. Do you have gauges in the tank to measure temperature and humidity? If so, where are they located and what temperature and humidity do they usually read? 70' NO TANK LIGHT, 78' LIGHT ON DURING DAY. HUMIDITY 78' NO LIGHT, 70' TANK LIGHT ON
3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what? HEAT MAT BACKSIDE OF TANK FOR 10 GALLON TANK
4. What types of water are available (fresh or salt) and how is the water treated (what brands of dechlorinator or salt mix and what ratio is used to mix it)? ZOO MED SALT & DRINKING WATER CONDITIONERS (followed directions on box)
5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced? HERMIT CRAB FOOD REPLACED EVERY 3 DAYS
6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known? 9 months the oldest one and probably 6 months for the newest one. I don't know the species. Probably the most common ones. I bought them from a pet store
7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen? YES, one currently. ( all have molted at one time or another of the last 9 months.)
8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing? 10 gallon tank, plastic fish tank lid/ Taped some of the holes in it to keep moisture in. I use a fish tank aerator in a 1/2 quart container to make humidity. A ball of Moss in the corner kept moist.
Wood and rocks. A 3 x 6 loft area made of Legos where they can climb up to where I keep the shells. A couple crabs used to hang out up there.
9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they? 5 and all medium sized
10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any? 5-6 and sometimes I switch them out for other shells.
11. Have there been any fumes or chemicals near the crabitat recently? NO
12. How often do you clean the tank and how?
13. Are sponges used in the water dish? If so, how are they cleaned? NO
14. Has anything new been added to your crabitat recently? NO
15. Is there any other information you would like to share that might be helpful (anything that is regularly part of your crab care, playtime, bathing, etc.)?
I have 5 medium crabs in a 10 gallon tank. For the last 6-7 months they have been hanging out under the substrate. I can tell that someone comes up for food every once in a while (during the night) I can tell one is currently molting cause I cab see him from the bottom of the tank. I have done a head count maybe like every 6 weeks to see if they are still alive (They are). I believe the temperatures and humidity are appropriate. Very quiet around their housing during the day. (don't ask about the evening lol) Now, How do I get them to come out ?
1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it? ECHO EARTH - Loose coconut fiber = 6 INCHES
2. Do you have gauges in the tank to measure temperature and humidity? If so, where are they located and what temperature and humidity do they usually read? 70' NO TANK LIGHT, 78' LIGHT ON DURING DAY. HUMIDITY 78' NO LIGHT, 70' TANK LIGHT ON
3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what? HEAT MAT BACKSIDE OF TANK FOR 10 GALLON TANK
4. What types of water are available (fresh or salt) and how is the water treated (what brands of dechlorinator or salt mix and what ratio is used to mix it)? ZOO MED SALT & DRINKING WATER CONDITIONERS (followed directions on box)
5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced? HERMIT CRAB FOOD REPLACED EVERY 3 DAYS
6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known? 9 months the oldest one and probably 6 months for the newest one. I don't know the species. Probably the most common ones. I bought them from a pet store
7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen? YES, one currently. ( all have molted at one time or another of the last 9 months.)
8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing? 10 gallon tank, plastic fish tank lid/ Taped some of the holes in it to keep moisture in. I use a fish tank aerator in a 1/2 quart container to make humidity. A ball of Moss in the corner kept moist.
Wood and rocks. A 3 x 6 loft area made of Legos where they can climb up to where I keep the shells. A couple crabs used to hang out up there.
9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they? 5 and all medium sized
10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any? 5-6 and sometimes I switch them out for other shells.
11. Have there been any fumes or chemicals near the crabitat recently? NO
12. How often do you clean the tank and how?
13. Are sponges used in the water dish? If so, how are they cleaned? NO
14. Has anything new been added to your crabitat recently? NO
15. Is there any other information you would like to share that might be helpful (anything that is regularly part of your crab care, playtime, bathing, etc.)?