Lethargic crab

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AndyCrabby
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Lethargic crab

Post by AndyCrabby » Wed Mar 21, 2018 10:46 pm

1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it?
Playsand from HomeDepit and eco earth. 7-8 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?
Yes. On substrate 80% humidity 80-85 F
3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?
UTH on back and side of 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)? Both fresh and saltwater. Instant ocean for salt water and Aqueon water conditioner as a dechlorinator
5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced? Hermit crab food off etsy, all from reccomended sellers from list. Organic honey and oats and random fruits from my kitchen. Freeze dried shrimp,meal worms and crickets. Leaf Litter, cuttle bone and moss

6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known?
Since June and a PP
7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen?
Molted a few weeks ago, lasted about 2 months
8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing?
20 gallon high fish tank with a glass lid
9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?
4 crabs. 1 small the rest medium
10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any?
About 20
11. Have there been any fumes or chemicals near the crabitat recently? No

12. How often do you clean the tank and how?
Every 3 weeks I scrape up the top 1-2inches of substrate and replace with clean substrate
13. Are sponges used in the water dish? If so, how are they cleaned?
No sponges
14. Has anything new been added to your crabitat recently?
Leaf litter and Moss. I found mites in my crabitat but they seem to be harmless food mites
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.
My crab has been lethargic. She is currently hanging on the saltwater bowl, not drinking. She recently switched to a shell thats way too small for her. I can see her soft abdomen.She was lethargic before but after a few days started moving around. She went back to being lethargic and I'm not sure if its an upcoming molt. She looks like shes done with livingImageImage

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wodesorel
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Re: Lethargic crab

Post by wodesorel » Thu Mar 22, 2018 3:49 am

I am so sorry!! Unexplained deaths tend to occur around molts, as molting requires so much energy from them. I don't see anything that can be corrected, and I think it comes down to personal choice on if you want to isolate her to see if it makes any difference.
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GotButterflies
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Re: Lethargic crab

Post by GotButterflies » Thu Mar 22, 2018 9:55 am

I'm sorry that you are going through this!

A couple of recommendations I have:
Is your depth at least three times the height of your largest crab?

And then the other thing is you could try giving fatty things - extra virgin olive oil, extra virgin organic coconut oil, chicken fat, and more calcium choices: oyster shell, egg shell and providing more protein choices never hurts either. Vegetables need to be covered also. Just make sure all aspects of the food pyramid are met. This always helps with a successful molt. Good luck! :)

Edit: I love your macaw decor!!
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AndyCrabby
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Re: Lethargic crab

Post by AndyCrabby » Thu Mar 22, 2018 10:46 am

The substrate is 3 times larger than my largest crab. My largest crab is currently buried. I will try adding healthy fats egg shells. I give them coral calcium along with their cuttlebone but I will add egg shells. Can I feed them scrambled eggs? As in make them their own without seasoning and refrigerate it. I don't eat eggs so I was wondering of I could use a single one for them.

Edit:Thank you! For both the advice and compliment
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Last edited by AndyCrabby on Thu Mar 22, 2018 9:43 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Hermiesguardian
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Re: Lethargic crab

Post by Hermiesguardian » Thu Mar 22, 2018 11:31 am

AndyCrabby wrote:The substrate is 3 times larger than my largest crab. My largest crab is currently buried. I will try adding healthy fats egg shells. I give them coral calcium along with their cuttlebone but I will add egg shells. Can I feed them scrambled eggs? As in make them their own without seasoning and refrigerate it. I don't eat eggs so I was wondering of I could use a single one for them.

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Yes, you can feed them scrambled eggs.
raising son's dog, Dante. Husky/hound.
Raising daughter's hermit crabs, Shelder, Paras and Derek. Added 2 more of my own (of course) Pete and Stryper. Former mommy to 2 guinea pigs and beloved cat, Nissi


Topic author
AndyCrabby
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Re: Lethargic crab

Post by AndyCrabby » Thu Mar 22, 2018 11:36 am

Thank you! I'm concerned though Tamatoa hasn't touched food. I even tried putting in honey last night, a favorite of hers,it remains the same.

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AndyCrabby
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Re: Lethargic crab

Post by AndyCrabby » Thu Mar 22, 2018 4:45 pm

She's naked. I came home and she's left her shell and is walking around without one.

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wodesorel
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Re: Lethargic crab

Post by wodesorel » Thu Mar 22, 2018 4:51 pm

As they get weaker they lose the ability to carry around a heavy shell. You may be able to get her to wear something small and light if you have anything like that. Striped fluctuosus turbos and those thin green turbos that stay small can sometimes work.
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AndyCrabby
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Re: Lethargic crab

Post by AndyCrabby » Thu Mar 22, 2018 5:05 pm

I have these that are similar to what you described. All around and smaller than her normal shell. Will they work?ImageImage

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AndyCrabby
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Re: Lethargic crab

Post by AndyCrabby » Thu Mar 22, 2018 5:13 pm

Minus the almond shaped one, its just light and in the off chance she would choose an oval shaped opening over a turbo

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wodesorel
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Re: Lethargic crab

Post by wodesorel » Thu Mar 22, 2018 5:20 pm

Maybe the striped Tapestry. All of those shells are on the heavier side.
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AndyCrabby
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Re: Lethargic crab

Post by AndyCrabby » Thu Mar 22, 2018 7:17 pm

I have isoed her. Crossing my fingers I hope she makes it

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mjjluver
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Re: Lethargic crab

Post by mjjluver » Fri Mar 23, 2018 10:45 pm

how's she doing?


Topic author
AndyCrabby
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Re: Lethargic crab

Post by AndyCrabby » Fri Mar 23, 2018 10:50 pm

I think she died. She isn't moving at all and won't react when I get near or touch her. I'm waiting till she "smells dead" to confirm and have a proper burial. Thanks for all the advice everyone, unfortunately she didn't make it

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wodesorel
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Re: Lethargic crab

Post by wodesorel » Fri Mar 23, 2018 10:55 pm

I really am so sorry.
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