Arcasta wrote:Thank you all for your replies! I've been waiting for all the hermits to come up so I could take pictures. Unfortunately, Colonel Pinchington refuses to comply. Below is the emergency questionnaire. I have pictures of their tank and two of the hermits, but I don't see how to post photos here.
1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it?
Children's play sand purchased from Home Depot. Boiled and baked to sterilize, and 6" deep.
GB: Make sure that substrate is sandcastle consistency. Do this by mixing with dechlorinated marine salt water or dechlorinated fresh water. Depth should be 6 inches or 3 times the height of your largest crab (whichever is deeper)
E- I agree with the above
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?
Humidity gauge, and temperature strip just purchased. The humidity gauge is located at the top of the tank, about an inch below the lid. It hovers between 70% and 75%. The temperature is at a steady 75 degrees.
GB: The HCA recommends a minimum of 80 for minimum temperature and humidity. Hermit crabs have modified gills and need the humidity to breathe. They are also from the tropical climates, and are used to warmer weather.
E- And remember! 80 and a little bit below is surviving but above 80 is thriving!
3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?
There is no heat source, but the tank is about two feet away from the heater in my apartment. My apartment is very warm; I'd estimate in the mid-70s. Certainly never lower than 70.
GB: You need to have a thermometer. You can purchase the following at Walmart online or in the store for $8:
https://www.walmart.com/ip/16888914?wml ... 3=&veh=sem
E- Yes. Knowing the exact temp is crucial.
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)?
There is a bowl of fresh water and a bowl of salt water. I use API Betta Water Conditioner to purify the water in the amount indicated on the bottle. I use don't know the salt I use because I decanted it into a Tupperware, but I'm pretty sure it's aquarium salt. I use about a 1/4 tsp to 1/3 cup, but I don't use measuring tools so it's approximate.
GB: Aquarium salt is not the correct salt to use. That is basically salt for fish health. You need marine salt to mimic ocean water. A lot of us use a product called instant ocean. This is imperative to change immediately. Pools should be larger enough for hermits to fully submerge and safe enough for them to get out of.
E- Yes IO is what many crabbers use. But you can also use different brands.
5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?
I usually give them table scraps, so small pieces of fish, chicken, or beans. Sometimes peanut butter or honey. I also supplement this with store bought food. I replace it every other day.
GB: Do you do this before you season it? Hermit crabs cannot have onion or garlic. They also are sensitive to pesticides and fertilizers. Peanut butter and honey needs to be organic. Honey should also be raw, and not have any high fructose corn syrup added to it.
Safe food list:
http://hermitcrabassociation.com/phpBB/ ... 25&t=92557
Unsafe food list:
http://hermitcrabassociation.com/phpBB/ ... 25&t=92556
E- I agree! Hermies are very sensitive when it comes to food and you should make their food separately
6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known?
I got them in July of 2015, so 20 months now.
7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen?
I don't believe they've ever molted. They've burrowed for long periods, but have never looked "pink" or new. They switched shells a lot in the first 6 or so months I had them, but they don't anymore.
8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing?
They live in a 5 (five) gallon tank with a mesh lid that's covered in plastic.
GB: Okay, that is too small. The rule of thumb is 1 crab per 5 gallons. You need a larger tank asap. You can get one at Petco (They are currently having a $1/gallon sale), craigslist, offerup, letgo) search tank, aquarium, reptile, terrarium. You can usually pick up a good deal there.
E- Yes that is way too small. But if you have Jumbo or Large crabs you need 7 gallons per crab for large and 15 for jumbo. Here is the space requirements for tanks:
http://hermitcrabassociation.com/phpBB/ ... 26&t=92541 and here is the sizing chart:
http://lennon.csufresno.edu/~esperance3 ... hartV2.doc
9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?
There are 3 crabs and two are about 1" diameter and one is about 1.25" diameter.
GB: Yikes, yep, really over crowded. You are very lucky to not have any aggression or canabalism.
E- Yeah. Crabs can get really aggressive and severely injure and/or kill each other
10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any?
I put an assortment of 4 shells in for a few days every month. Because he tank isn't very large, I didn't want to take up a lot of their walking space.
GB: The HCA recommends 3-5 shells per crab. I recommend more. You can never have too many.
E- I agree so you should have at least 9 shells. You can find big packs at craft stores like Michael's and A.C Moore. You can also order from Naples Sea Shell Co. :
http://naplesseashellcompany.com and Richards:
http://richardsseashells.com
11. Have there been any fumes or chemicals near the crabitat recently?
No
12. How often do you clean the tank and how?
I spot clean weekly and maybe once a month I'll till the sand and rinse their hideaway and climbing toys. I've never deep cleaned. This past weekend after my first post I sifted much of the sand to remove any detritus. I found a few scraps of exoskeleton so I must have been mistaken when I said they've never molted.
GB: Not necessary to deep clean. You are dong fine. Sand needs to be sand castle consistency though.
E- Yeah. No need to deep clean.
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 basically leave them to their own devices but take them out about monthly. They used to be more active when I first got them.
