Trying to narrow down why two of my crabs died

[Moonkitten94]

Ok, so I posted a couple months ago about an unfortunate situation I had with a molting crab and was given good advice about how my tank set up should be adjusted. Since posting, I took the advice given to me and haven't had any issues. Several of my smaller hermit crabs have molted and come back up. At one time, all but my two Large crabs were buried and molting. Now the tables have turned and all my small crabs are on the surface and my largest ones went under lol.

Well, they all came back up at around the same time. One came back up missing his big claw, but the others were fine. I don't think the one who was missing his claw actually molted, but had probably gotten into it under the sand with another crab or something. I honestly don't know. Other than his missing claw, he was totally fine and acting normal, just like the others.

A day or so after all my smaller crabs came up, one of the crabs started streaking. I've had a couple streakers before, all that did so because I had purchased them already stressed or sick from the pet store, and they were always sluggish streakers. This was different, tho. This crabs energy level was totally fine, he was just naked, hanging around the water bowls. He reshelled easily with the cup method, but he kept streaking. This whole streaking crab, reshelling process went on for about a week with his energy level slowly lowering, until today when he finally passed. While this was happening, missing claw crab also slowed down and became sick. He died today as well.

My question is why. The heat in the tank is always between 70-85 (the tank is only on the colder side for a few hours at night while I sleep because I haven't figured out a good way to attach the lamp I have to the tank and still have the lid secure), the humidity level is always in the 75% range, I feed them a pretty balanced diet, they can submerge in both water dishes if they need, I have a foot of sand in the tank that's mixed properly with coconut fiber, and have plenty of shells for them to choose from.

Does any one have any idea why this potentially happened?

[Giner13]

The only thing I can think of is raise the humidity...it's perfectly fine if it's near 80% or so.

Other than that I'm so sorry to hear of your loss!!! I know you put some work into getting things set up good for them. Maybe someone else will chime in as well.


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[C_fiesta]

Hmmm. The most common reason I've heard about streakers is that it's too hot. The temps you gave are fine, I just wonder if they are accurate. Is it a digital or regular gauge? Sometimes they can go wonky.

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[Moonkitten94]

Hmmm. The most common reason I've heard about streakers is that it's too hot. The temps you gave are fine, I just wonder if they are accurate. Is it a digital or regular gauge? Sometimes they can go wonky.

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The gauge I have is just a regular one. I'm thinking I'm just going to need to raise the humidity a bit and figure out a solution the the lid/light thing so I can have the heat going at all times. It is just strange to me.

[Moonkitten94]

I was thinking that maybe the logs I have in the tank are not on the approved list, maybe? Idk. I doubt it, but I'm just brainstorming. The logs I have are ones that came with the crabs I got, so I'm not sure what kind they are. I was trying to identify the type of wood, but that's hard to do online.

[wodesorel]

Streakers ditch shells due to weakness. At some point the shell is too heavy for them to move around.

Can you give me a more detailed timeline of purchase, molts (date down and date up) and deaths for the two that didn't make it?

[Moonkitten94]

Streakers ditch shells due to weakness. At some point the shell is too heavy for them to move around.

Can you give me a more detailed timeline of purchase, molts (date down and date up) and deaths for the two that didn't make it?

The streaker I had for about a year and the one who lost his claw I had had for two years. He was one of the first crabs I got :/. They both were on the smaller side, so they molted quite frequently, I'm not sure how many times they molted in my care, tho. Of course, when I first got the streaker he immediately went down and molted and was under for about two weeks. The other one surface molted when I first had him before I knew how much sand you really needed in a tank and it only took him about a week.

As I said in my main post, the streaker started streaking the 23rd or 24th and was easy to re shell, but I was having to reshell him up to two times a day. He passed yesterday night and without a shell because he wouldn't/couldn't get back in. The one who was missing his claw got sick on the 27th and rapidly declined. He wasn't streaming or anything, he just slowed down. Wouldn't retract into his shell or eat or drink, anything. He passed the same day at he streaker, a little earlier, tho. The one missing a claw had always been my most resilient crab. He stuck with me before I had the proper amount of sand in the tank (because I didn't know) and successfully surface molted. He survived a move with me. I'm not sure what happened.

What other things do you need to know? I'm sorry I can't give you a more detailed list of molts, but I normally try and simply forget about them when they go under because it stresses me out lol. The little ones I have are normally under for a long while, too, just because they lik it under the sand, so it's hard to keep track.

[GotButterflies]

I'm really sorry to hear of your losses. That is terrible. It's always heartbreaking to hear that!

Have you calibrated your humidity gauge? http://hermitcrabassociation.com/phpBB/ ... 26&t=92540
I definitely recommend doing that, and perhaps, if able getting a digital hygrometer/thermometer. Walmart sells an Acurite brand for $8. It's in the home improvement section, by the air filters. Being that hermit crabs have modified gills, they need the humidity to breathe. Try to get humidity up over 80. You can add moss pits, bubblers to the water bowls, glass tops if you can afford to do so (don't put lights on them - they will crack).

Are all of the items offered in your tank off of the safe food list? Are the foods that you offer organic when possible? Do you offer calcium on a regular basis?

In case you would want to fill out the emergency template again, here it is: http://hermitcrabassociation.com/phpBB/ ... 27&t=46102

[Moonkitten94]

I'm really sorry to hear of your losses. That is terrible. It's always heartbreaking to hear that!

Have you calibrated your humidity gauge? http://hermitcrabassociation.com/phpBB/ ... 26&t=92540
I definitely recommend doing that, and perhaps, if able getting a digital hygrometer/thermometer. Walmart sells an Acurite brand for $8. It's in the home improvement section, by the air filters. Being that hermit crabs have modified gills, they need the humidity to breathe. Try to get humidity up over 80. You can add moss pits, bubblers to the water bowls, glass tops if you can afford to do so (don't put lights on them - they will crack).

Are all of the items offered in your tank off of the safe food list? Are the foods that you offer organic when possible? Do you offer calcium on a regular basis?

In case you would want to fill out the emergency template again, here it is: http://hermitcrabassociation.com/phpBB/ ... 27&t=46102

What are bubblers? I don't really have much space for a moss pit, I don't think. Once my two large crabs are done molting, I'm going to be getting a larger tank with a tank topper just so I can add all of the stuff that hermmies need/want. Plus, mine really like to climb. Until then, I'll just up how often I mist the tank and add some cling wrap to the top of the tank on one side to keep the humidity in better.

I haven't calibrated it! I'll go do that now.
All the foods I give them are on the safe food list I believe. Haven't looked at this sites list specifically, mostly because I struggle with navigating this site (lol), but I always look up whether it's safe or not before I give it to them. All the foods I give them are organic, yes, because we eat organic. I try to give them crushed eggshells weekly.

[Moonkitten94]

1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it?
Plays and mixed with coconut fiber to sandcastle consistency. I actually just measured and it's 11.5 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?
Yeah, I have a combined humidity/temp gauge located a little above the sand. It normally reads about 75% humidity and 70-85 degrees.

3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?
Yes. I use a 60 watt heating lamp.

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)?
Both salt and fresh water is provided. I use aqua safe dechlorinator and I use different kinds of salt mixtures. Sometimes I use the premixed saltwater from the pet store and other times is use all living things soaking salt.

5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?
I feed lots of fruits and veggies. Mainly fruits, ho because they like them better. I also give them eggshells weekly.

6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known?
I've had the crabs I have for all different lengths. The ones that passed I had for different spans. The streaker, one year. The missing claw hermit, two years. They're both PPs

7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen?
Yes, the streaker came up from his molt around the 19th. The other had not molted in about a month, but had a gel limb forming where his claw was.

8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing?
I originally thought it was a 50 gallon tank, but it's really a 30. I have a mesh lid on it.

9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?
I have 7 crabs ranging in size. Two mediums, two smalls, one tiny, one large, and one large that is on the brink of being xl large. I think, at least. I have trouble determining how big they are with the scale that's used. I know they're in close quarters, I'm getting a larger tank soon

10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any?
Around 15, varying sizes.

11. Have there been any fumes or chemicals near the crabitat recently?
No

12. How often do you clean the tank and how?
Around every 6 months. Usually I completely change out the sand or churn it if it's not in need of a totally change. Every other day I scoop poop tho.

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.)?

16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.
Already described

[GotButterflies]

Hello To reply to your first question, here is a post that LadyJinglyJones made on bubblers: http://hermitcrabassociation.com/phpBB/ ... r#p1030806

As for moss pits, I add mine on top of my substrate. Some people put theirs inside of baskets or vases, and some have used mason jars. It depends on the size of your hermits

I answered your questions with GB for GotButterflies

1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it?
Plays and mixed with coconut fiber to sandcastle consistency. I actually just measured and it's 11.5 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?
Yeah, I have a combined humidity/temp gauge located a little above the sand. It normally reads about 75% humidity and 70-85 degrees.

GB: Okay, I would get humidity up to minimum of 80. Anything above 80 is okay. It does increase chance of mold growth, which can be harmful to us, but not the crabs. Heat...so that should be consistently around 80 also. Some let it dip at night which would be natural. I don't let mine get above 85 during the day. I also don't let mine go below 77 - ever.

3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?
Yes. I use a 60 watt heating lamp.

GB: Have you considered using a UTH? Ultratherm heater? So they are made to go under the tank, but us crabbers use them on the back of the tank above the substrate to heat the air. www.reptilebasics.com or www.beanfarm.com are great sites to get them from. Those ultratherms can be insulated. Zoomed brands are more expensive and already come insulated, so imo they are not that great.

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)?
Both salt and fresh water is provided. I use aqua safe dechlorinator and I use different kinds of salt mixtures. Sometimes I use the premixed saltwater from the pet store and other times is use all living things soaking salt.

GB: All living things soaking salt is not the right kind of salt for the hermits. Premixed saltwater if you are talking about the bottled water for hermit crabs is also not the right kind of salt water for the hermit crabs. They need marine salt water that mimics ocean water. Most of us use a product called Instant Ocean. This product is mixed with dechlorinated fresh water to make water safe for marine life to live in. That is the kind of product you need for the hermits. It has the essential minerals needed for the crabs. They need to be able to fully submerge in both the fresh water and saltwater on their own, as well as safely get out of it. The dechlorinator needs to remove chorine, chloramine and neutralize heavy metals and ammonia.

5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?
I feed lots of fruits and veggies. Mainly fruits, ho because they like them better. I also give them eggshells weekly.

GB: Calcium needs to be supplied daily, as does protein. They need these as a regular part of their diet. You can provide a cuttle bone for them to munch on. Some of us put them in the substrate stuck up as a surfboard. Eggshells, coral, oyster are also great calcium sources. Protein is just as important. Crickets, mealworms, shrimp, chicken, krill, plankton are all very important. Please check out the food pyramid: http://hermitcrabassociation.com/phpBB/ ... 25&t=92554

6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known?
I've had the crabs I have for all different lengths. The ones that passed I had for different spans. The streaker, one year. The missing claw hermit, two years. They're both PPs

7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen?
Yes, the streaker came up from his molt around the 19th. The other had not molted in about a month, but had a gel limb forming where his claw was.

8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing?
I originally thought it was a 50 gallon tank, but it's really a 30. I have a mesh lid on it.

GB: you can cover the mesh lid with press n seal or saran wrap to keep humidity in.

9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?
I have 7 crabs ranging in size. Two mediums, two smalls, one tiny, one large, and one large that is on the brink of being xl large. I think, at least. I have trouble determining how big they are with the scale that's used. I know they're in close quarters, I'm getting a larger tank soon

GB: Okay, imo you are overcrowded. Have you tried looking on craigslist, letgo, offerup for a larger tank?

10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any?
Around 15, varying sizes.

GB: You definitely need more shells asap! The HCA recommends 3-5 shells per crab. There are incorrect shells to buy. Here is the shell guide: http://hermitcrabassociation.com/phpBB/ ... 24&t=92552

11. Have there been any fumes or chemicals near the crabitat recently?
No

12. How often do you clean the tank and how?
Around every 6 months. Usually I completely change out the sand or churn it if it's not in need of a totally change. Every other day I scoop poop tho.

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.)?

16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.
Already described

[Moonkitten94]

Ok, GB, I have questions in response to the answers to my questions.
1.) where can I get instant ocean?
2.) what size tank do you think would be appropriate for my crabs? I have another 30 gallon tank that I could move my smaller crabs to while I wait to get a new tank. Unfortunately, I won't be able to do anything about the large ones I have as they are both under and molting. Thankfully, far away from each other. Both of them molting st the same time stresses me out so bad.
3.) the next few aren't questions, just a reply, but I will get one of those sticky heat pads for the side of the tank. My friend actually just told me she has an extra one.
4.) I had more shells, I simply took the big ones out because the big ones are molting and the large shells were taking up space. I have five hermits on the surface now and three shells per crab.
5.) I will start buying them some little shrimps and other things for protein as well as look at the food pyramid.

[GotButterflies]

Hello .

You can get Instant Ocean from Amazon, Petco, Petsmart, or any other pet store. It is sold to make saltwater aquariums

I think setting up the 30 gallon would be great! It sure would solve any future problems you could have. Purple pitnchers tend to handle overcrowding fairly well if all the tank conditions are good, but imo, it's always better to be safe than sorry. So, if you really have an extra large and a large, they should have a tank to themselves, and then put the others in their own tank.
Perfect on the shells!

Great on the food pyramid


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[Moonkitten94]

Hello .

You can get Instant Ocean from Amazon, Petco, Petsmart, or any other pet store. It is sold to make saltwater aquariums

I think setting up the 30 gallon would be great! It sure would solve any future problems you could have. Purple pitnchers tend to handle overcrowding fairly well if all the tank conditions are good, but imo, it's always better to be safe than sorry. So, if you really have an extra large and a large, they should have a tank to themselves, and then put the others in their own tank.
Perfect on the shells!

Great on the food pyramid


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I will want them in one tank at some point, tho, so what size would you recommend? I'll get some sand today to set up the other tank for now

[GotButterflies]

I would do a 75 gallon if the one is an extra large.


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