Daethian

[Dutchess mommy]

Hello I read your other reply and noticed you have several hermit crabs so I thought id ask you a few questions.
First I know next to nothing about them but my son wanted one so we got one a few years ago. we had him for 1.5 years b4 he dies. we saw and figured out that he molted and came out of his shell only he never would go into another one we had like 3 of them all bigger than the first. we got another since then weve had 2 more of them and they all did the exact same thing. why is this? are we just not ment for crabs? thanks

[Daethian]

Hello I read your other reply and noticed you have several hermit crabs so I thought id ask you a few questions.
First I know next to nothing about them but my son wanted one so we got one a few years ago. we had him for 1.5 years b4 he dies. we saw and figured out that he molted and came out of his shell only he never would go into another one we had like 3 of them all bigger than the first. we got another since then weve had 2 more of them and they all did the exact same thing. why is this? are we just not ment for crabs? thanks

Well it may not be anything YOU are doing. When crabs are harvested from the wild, they are gathered in huge numbers and then shipped to the U.S. Once here they are held until stores place orders for them. They are very stressed out by this whole process. They are typically denied food, water and the humid air they need to breath. Then they arrive in the pet stores who also don't provide proper humidity for them. Because of this, the crabs are slowly dying from suffocation. Often we buy them, only to have them die within a week or month from stress.

While molting the crab typically will not leave its shell. Because it is at its most vulnerable while the body is soft. Leaving the shell is a sign of stress. Possibly the conditions weren't right for the molt. Sometimes they have trouble molting too, the exoskeleton doesn't always come off the way it should.

If you are interested in trying to keep crabs again maybe you could tell me what your set up is like and I could help you?

I had several crabs die before I found a site www.hermit-crabs.com which is owned by the president of the Hermit Crab Association. That site is full of basic care info and is very helpful.

I'd still be happy to help you any way I can.

[Dutchess mommy]

well basically I just have a good size tank with sand the kind from the pet store they said I need ,food,water with the sponge. I thought was was about all i needed.

[Daethian]

well basically I just have a good size tank with sand the kind from the pet store they said I need ,food,water with the sponge. I thought was was about all i needed.

Is it Calci sand? That stuff is expensive and ends up getting stinky when damp. The play sand from the hardware store is like $2.50 for 50 lbs and is a better value.

Does your tank have a lid or a heater? What about a humidity gauge and thermometer? The lid is needed to hold humidity in, if you have a screen lid you can modifiy it with saran wrap or some damp towels. Your humidity should remain between 70-80% for the crabs to be able to breathe properly. The sponge you bought usually will help add humidity to the air. The substrate temperature should also be between 70-80 degrees. I use a regular thermometer and keep the tip at surface level. My crabs seem to enjoy 78 degrees. Around 60 degrees the crabs will be slow and inactive, and eventually die. A under the tank heater is the easiest way to warm the tank. You can control the heat by making the sand shallower or deeper over the UTH.

Are you using a dechlorinator in the water? Do you know if you have species other than Caribbeans? If so, they need salt water to survive. Same salt that you use to make a salt water aquarium is used to mix salt water for crabs.

[Daethian]

Hey where in Southern Illinois are you? I just noticed that!

[Dutchess mommy]

Hello Im close to Carbondale. u know where that is?
I used the very expensive sand that they said i needed that would be safe to digest. But no lid or heater. That might be the problem or one of them at least

[Daethian]

Well like it is with most pet stores...they have no idea what is proper care for any of the animals they sell.

Reptiles apparently eat sand but its not an issue for hermit crabs. They just want to sell you the most expensive stuff.

Yup I know where it is! I live in Highland, about 40 minutes east of St Louis so not *too* far from you.

[Dutchess mommy]

yes i got like a 3 lb bag for like 11$$

[Daethian]

Yeah that sucks. Go on and use it if you want or take it out and package it up then offer it in a dish. Crabs need a calcium source and that is a good source. I bought some purple, supposedly the crabs color can be enhanced or altered by diet but I've yet to see it. So anyway I just give my crabs a dish of the calci sand to eat.

[Dutchess mommy]

so do you have a chi? I thought thats what I saw in the pic. i have a beagle and im thinking of getting a chi. Ive never had one but I think it would be a great addition to our family. Maybe we can chat sometime.

[Daethian]

"we" have three. I live with my sister and they are hers. They are sweet and fun but definitely needy. They demand a lot of her attention. Granted she spoils them rotten but they really are like her kids. My dogs are rat terriers.