Lonely Crab?

[EmmaBatGirl]

Hi everyone! I've had my two PP hermit crabs for about 5 months now. This is the first issue I've had.

Like I said, I have 2. One ping-pong ball sized one (Cthulhu) and one smaller (Hermes). Hermes has already had a successful molt and Cthulhu has been down for a little less then two weeks. It was about 5 days after Hermes came up the Cthulhu went down.

Hermes is acting really lethargic lately. I'm pretty sure he's still eating. He really just stays in one spot though. He goes out of the log hide, eats, and goes back in. I did a time-lapse overnight to see if he was being active, but he wasn't. Is it possible he's sad he's been alone? His molt took almost two months, then right when he saw his 'friend' again, he was gone too.

They are in a ten gallon take with both saltwater and freshwater. I have them on a diet of mostly fresh fruits and veggies, getting meats about twice a week. I also give them organic peanut butter or jam about once a week and they love it. Food is replaced every 2 days, as it gets moldy on the third. The tank humidity fluctuates a bit between 70-80 percent and the temperature is a constant 80.

My substrate is Eco Earth and it's about 8 inches deep. I spot clean the tank every other day and it hasn't been necessary to do a deep clean yet.

I had a friend spray the bath and body works perfume about 5 feet from the tank. I have a solid lid with a few air holes so I don't think that's the problem.

The only thing that's new is a little ceramic house from Goodwill. I washed it really well (no soap) and put it in. I've never seen them go in by complete choice, but if they were out and I stuck my hand it to grab the food or water dishes to clean them they'd run in.

Thanks for the help! Just want my boys to get better!

[megmaholm]

It's hard to say what the problem could be. To me, a very active crab is a stressed crab - most of mine just hang out in one place all day and only leave to eat/drink and that's normal. As long as he's eating and such, I'd try not to worry and just keep an eye on him. It's always possible he's lonely, or he's just bored without a buddy. If that's the case, he'll be okay until your other one comes up Lots of people just have 2-3 crabs and there's usually one that's alone for a while as the others molt.

Your conditions look fine, but the only thing I would change is offering more protein. They really need a source daily - it can be cooked or uncooked beef, pork, chicken, or fish; dried shrimp, mealworms, etc. Lots of options!