So I've had Rikki, Tikki, and Tavi for about a two and a half weeks. At first they were fairly active, exploring and eating. One of them dug down to destress but came back after a couple days. Everyone of them has changed shells as well.
But three days ago they suddenly stopped. All of them are hiding and don't move at all. I've tried putting some shrimp in there and some honey covered oats, as I've read those are good for them, but they didn't even touch them.
The heat and humidity are as they should be as well.
Is there anything I can do for them?
Inactive crabs?
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LadyJinglyJones
- Posts: 2115
- Joined: Sat Aug 27, 2016 12:01 pm
- Location: The 6ix, Ontario, Canada
Re: Inactive crabs?
They may be destressing still, and finally slowing down as they acclimate. Or possibly theyre becoming lethargic in readiness for a moult.
Do you want to fill out the emergency template so we can go over the answers & see if anything might be amiss?
Also, temps below the 80s might sometimes slow them down.
They're complex animals. It's always hard to figure out why they might be doing something. Don't handle them would be my primary suggestion right now.
Do you want to fill out the emergency template so we can go over the answers & see if anything might be amiss?
Also, temps below the 80s might sometimes slow them down.
They're complex animals. It's always hard to figure out why they might be doing something. Don't handle them would be my primary suggestion right now.
"Gaze upon the rolling deep..."
Quince the fat tailed gecko; Amazonian minnows; and now Harry & Luis, Bede & Aster, Chandra & Jace, Pax, & Piccolo, my adopted PPs.
RIP Vegita :(
Quince the fat tailed gecko; Amazonian minnows; and now Harry & Luis, Bede & Aster, Chandra & Jace, Pax, & Piccolo, my adopted PPs.
RIP Vegita :(
Re: Inactive crabs?
I also just about a month ago got two hermits and mine are just now becoming accustomed to their environment and being a little more energetic. Both of mine dug holes and stayed in them for like a week. But didn't molt. I think it's just a way for them to de stress and make the environment the way they want it. Kinda like us when we move houses or get a new job. We have to get used to the environment before we feel like we can be ourselves.
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Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Mischievous, vincent and newest baby Hercules
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WacklieCacklie
Topic author - Posts: 21
- Joined: Sat Aug 19, 2017 6:47 pm
Re: Inactive crabs?
Sorry I'm not familiar with the emergency template, but I'd be happy to provide any kind of information you need.LadyJinglyJones wrote:They may be destressing still, and finally slowing down as they acclimate. Or possibly theyre becoming lethargic in readiness for a moult.
Do you want to fill out the emergency template so we can go over the answers & see if anything might be amiss?
Also, temps below the 80s might sometimes slow them down.
They're complex animals. It's always hard to figure out why they might be doing something. Don't handle them would be my primary suggestion right now.
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soilentgringa
- Posts: 4352
- Joined: Sun Jul 20, 2014 5:18 pm
- Location: Dallas, TX
Re: Inactive crabs?
http://www.hermitcrabassociation.com/ph ... hp?t=46102WacklieCacklie wrote:Sorry I'm not familiar with the emergency template, but I'd be happy to provide any kind of information you need.LadyJinglyJones wrote:They may be destressing still, and finally slowing down as they acclimate. Or possibly theyre becoming lethargic in readiness for a moult.
Do you want to fill out the emergency template so we can go over the answers & see if anything might be amiss?
Also, temps below the 80s might sometimes slow them down.
They're complex animals. It's always hard to figure out why they might be doing something. Don't handle them would be my primary suggestion right now.
Sent from my LGMS550 using Tapatalk
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WacklieCacklie
Topic author - Posts: 21
- Joined: Sat Aug 19, 2017 6:47 pm
Re: Inactive crabs?
1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it?
A eco Earth and sand mix, about fifty fifty. Sandcastle consistency. Six to seven inches depending on the area.
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?
Yes I have a digital one that detects both humidity and temp and it's on the left wall of the tank about half way between the substrate and the lid if that description makes sense
It's usually 78-82°F and 78-84% humidity.
3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?
I have a heat pad stuck to the side, but it's too small to heat the whole tank. So I've also got a heat lamp with a normal 60watt light bulb in it. It gives off enough heat to keep the optimal temperature. I also have a night time bulb for night.
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)?
I use bottled water, both salt and fresh. I use Instant Ocean sea salt and mix the half cup for every gallon
5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?
I have a mix of dried mealworms, crickets, oats, dried red shrimp, shrimp pellets, crushed up dog treats and food, dried red Sea weed, millet, and peanuts for their dried food. I change it every 2-3 days, I mix it up so not all of these are included everytime. I do always make sure to have seaweed and I crush up some cuttlefish bone and sprinkle it on top.
For their fresh food I give them one fruit, veggie, and meat everyday. Apples, bananas, blueberries, grapes are the fruit I switch between everyday. For veggies I give them carrots, spinach, or broccoli every day. And meat I get them either frozen bloodworms, frozen brine shrimp, hamburger or shrimp.
I also have given them organic peanut butter and raw honey but only once.
6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known?
They're all purple Pinchers and have had the for 2 and a half weeks.
7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen?
No
8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing?
I have a 27 gallon plastic bin. 25"L x 19"W x 20"H. I have a plain plastic lid but I cut holes in it and added a mesh to let the heat from the lamp get through.
9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?
Three crabs two medium, about an inch and a half, and one large, around 2 inches.
10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any?
18 shells, most of the are medium but a few are large. All of them have changed shells at least once.
11. Have there been any fumes or chemicals near the crabitat recently?
There was an accident where I placed the lamp incorrectly and it caused the plastic to melt. Luckily though it just melted and didn't burn so it wasn't toxic. When it happened I did a bunch of research and from what I learned it was relatively harmless, new born and birds where okay from it and they're typically sensitive to stuff like that. Still I removed the lid and allowed it to cool and aired both the tank and my room out by opening to windows and then vacuumed to make sure nothing settled in the dust.
They were inactive before this incident however so I don't think this is the cause.
12. How often do you clean the tank and how?
The only cleaning out I've had to do as of yet is the food they've spilled from their dishes and the water. Which I check everyday. Other than that I haven't had a needed to.
13. Are sponges used in the water dish? If so, how are they cleaned?
I have a sponge in the freshwater dish and I squeeze it out everyday when I change the water. I plan on changing/boiling it once a month though.
14. Has anything new been added to your crabitat recently?
I added some new shells last week and a wet towel two days ago hanging on one of the walls to help humidity.
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've got a towel I wet with warm water in their to help with humidity and a makeshift humidifier as well. I also spray a few times a day.
16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.
Not an emergency but a bit concerning, they're inactive. But as I was writing this I caught one of the digging down into the soil.
A eco Earth and sand mix, about fifty fifty. Sandcastle consistency. Six to seven inches depending on the area.
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?
Yes I have a digital one that detects both humidity and temp and it's on the left wall of the tank about half way between the substrate and the lid if that description makes sense
It's usually 78-82°F and 78-84% humidity.
3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?
I have a heat pad stuck to the side, but it's too small to heat the whole tank. So I've also got a heat lamp with a normal 60watt light bulb in it. It gives off enough heat to keep the optimal temperature. I also have a night time bulb for night.
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)?
I use bottled water, both salt and fresh. I use Instant Ocean sea salt and mix the half cup for every gallon
5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?
I have a mix of dried mealworms, crickets, oats, dried red shrimp, shrimp pellets, crushed up dog treats and food, dried red Sea weed, millet, and peanuts for their dried food. I change it every 2-3 days, I mix it up so not all of these are included everytime. I do always make sure to have seaweed and I crush up some cuttlefish bone and sprinkle it on top.
For their fresh food I give them one fruit, veggie, and meat everyday. Apples, bananas, blueberries, grapes are the fruit I switch between everyday. For veggies I give them carrots, spinach, or broccoli every day. And meat I get them either frozen bloodworms, frozen brine shrimp, hamburger or shrimp.
I also have given them organic peanut butter and raw honey but only once.
6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known?
They're all purple Pinchers and have had the for 2 and a half weeks.
7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen?
No
8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing?
I have a 27 gallon plastic bin. 25"L x 19"W x 20"H. I have a plain plastic lid but I cut holes in it and added a mesh to let the heat from the lamp get through.
9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?
Three crabs two medium, about an inch and a half, and one large, around 2 inches.
10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any?
18 shells, most of the are medium but a few are large. All of them have changed shells at least once.
11. Have there been any fumes or chemicals near the crabitat recently?
There was an accident where I placed the lamp incorrectly and it caused the plastic to melt. Luckily though it just melted and didn't burn so it wasn't toxic. When it happened I did a bunch of research and from what I learned it was relatively harmless, new born and birds where okay from it and they're typically sensitive to stuff like that. Still I removed the lid and allowed it to cool and aired both the tank and my room out by opening to windows and then vacuumed to make sure nothing settled in the dust.
They were inactive before this incident however so I don't think this is the cause.
12. How often do you clean the tank and how?
The only cleaning out I've had to do as of yet is the food they've spilled from their dishes and the water. Which I check everyday. Other than that I haven't had a needed to.
13. Are sponges used in the water dish? If so, how are they cleaned?
I have a sponge in the freshwater dish and I squeeze it out everyday when I change the water. I plan on changing/boiling it once a month though.
14. Has anything new been added to your crabitat recently?
I added some new shells last week and a wet towel two days ago hanging on one of the walls to help humidity.
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've got a towel I wet with warm water in their to help with humidity and a makeshift humidifier as well. I also spray a few times a day.
16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.
Not an emergency but a bit concerning, they're inactive. But as I was writing this I caught one of the digging down into the soil.