Hermit crab just left shell

[s10ryan]

1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it?
RepTerra Premium Substrates Calcium Carbonate Sand

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?
No

3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?
No heat source, kept in bathroom with regular heat
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)?
CC Pet Hermit Crab Salt Water

5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?
has fruit powder meal, some shrimp and some hermit crab treats from pet store

6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known?
have had crab since may/june

7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen?
Have not seen an exo skeleton

8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing?
Aqua Culture 2.5-Gallon Reptile Habitat (round one from walmart)

9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?
1 only about large based on shell sizings

10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any?
4-5

11. Have there been any fumes or chemicals near the crabitat recently?
no
12. How often do you clean the tank and how?
every few weeks

13. Are sponges used in the water dish? If so, how are they cleaned?
have a sponge and a water dish that is fixed in center

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.)? sometimes let him out and crawl around sink

16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.
i came into bathroom today and noticed he vacated his shell and was crawling around. has some sand stuck to his legs and body.
This is my first hermit crab and trying to educate myself and give him a good life

[crabby33]

Hi there, welcome to the HCA. I see some things in your emergency that is causing stress in your crab.

What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it?
RepTerra Premium Substrates Calcium Carbonate Sand

Okay, this type of sand is a no no for hermit crabs. When moistened, it can both cement crabs in their shells and it can trap molting crabs underground. You want play sand that people buy for their kids to play in and mix it with Eco Earth. There also a hermit crab sand developed by Fluker’s in 2015, called Fluker’s Beach Sand Substrate for hermit crabs. However, it’s $10 for a 6 lb bag so play sand is a cheaper option, running for $5 for a 50 lb bag.

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?
No

It’s very important you know what the humidity levels are. You can order digital gauges online or buy from Walmart.

3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?
No heat source, kept in bathroom with regular heat.

Keeping the crab in the bathroom with regular heat is not enough. You need an under tank heater, placed on the back or side of the 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)?
CC Pet Hermit Crab Salt Water. This is also a no no. The salt water needs to be made using a product called Instant Ocean. Aquarium hobbyists use it and so do public aquariums.

5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?
has fruit powder meal, some shrimp and some hermit crab treats from pet store

Feeding food from the pet store is not recommended. Have a look at our food pyramid and safe and unsafe food list.

6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known?
have had crab since may/june

7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen?
Have not seen an exo skeleton

8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing?
Aqua Culture 2.5-Gallon Reptile Habitat (round one from walmart)

That is not an appropriate enclosure for a hermit crab. I recommend a 20 Gallon tank to start out with for 2 crabs. You want to have enough room for 2 water bowls, a food dish, hides, things to climb on and substrate 6 inches deep. Enough to completely bury when they need to molt.

9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?
1 only about large based on shell sizings

Okay, you will need to get a friend for your crab. They do better in pairs or in groups, they’re very social. Crabs can die of loneliness.

10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any?
4-5

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

12. How often do you clean the tank and how?
every few weeks

Once you get the right size tank and the correct substrate, it will never need to be changed.

13. Are sponges used in the water dish? If so, how are they cleaned?
have a sponge and a water dish that is fixed in center

You don’t need the sponge. It can contaminate their drinking water with bacteria and that’s not good for them.


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.)? sometimes let him out and crawl around sink

Okay, having hermit crabs is like having fish. It needs to stay in the tank. Many people here prefer a hands off approach. A look, but don’t touch animal.


16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.
i came into bathroom today and noticed he vacated his shell and was crawling around. has some sand stuck to his legs and body.

This is my first hermit crab and trying to educate myself and give him a good life

Your crab will live much longer once you correct the conditions.

[s10ryan]

thank you, i wish i had found this forum and gotten this info a long time ago. ive heard so much different stuff i just want to do whats best

[fandt94]

You also need to get him back in a shell ASAP...

Here is a thread of how to try and get him to go back in a shell...

viewtopic.php?f=27&t=117588&p=1060704&h ... b#p1060704

[fandt94]

Any update? Is he back in a shell?

[s10ryan]

yes he went back to his old shell at about 8 last night after combing over all the other shells. i will be working today to get him a better hermitat and everything else this weekend and maybe get him a friend next week Thank you so much

[curlysister]

This site has lots of really great info - it's the only source of information I have used in my 8+ years of having my crabs. Look at the FAQ and Care Sheets section, it's really well set up.

[PinchersAndShells]

Another few things I saw that weren't mentioned - crabs need both fresh and salt water. Both kinds need to be dechlorinated using a product such as Seachem Prime. Both bowls should be deep enough for your crabs to fully submerge, with a way in and out. Along with needing something to measure humidity, you also need something to measure the temperature. Many crabbers use a brand called Acurite, they're meant for houses but they work better than the analog gauges commonly found in pet stores. When you upgrade and get your crab a buddy, make sure to get more shells as well. We recommend about 3-5 shells of preferred type and size per crab.
Happy crabbing!

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