QuestionQUESTION: Help!! We recently lost a hermit crab after he shed, and then he left that shell and ran around "naked" all weekend and died. We noticed him out of his shell and isolated him from the other 3 crabs. He had 4 other shells to move in to but prefered to stay in the hermit hut "naked". Then he died. Now we have another one doing the same thing. What are we doing wrong? We boil the shells and wash in salt water, we isolate him and he has water and food, They are in a heated tank at about 27 degrees and keeping him in the dark to try not to stress him.
ANSWER: Tricia, I have had streakers they are a pain. Usually it is just that they are not happy with the shells provided. If you are boiling your shells make sure its a rolling boil for only five minutes then tap rinse is fine pat dry...put them in next day. If you are rinsing in saltwater that is fine too make sure it is purified salt from the pet shop. For instance instant ocean or crab salt. This is why you lost her her...two reasons...one, is they dehydrate very quickly so until she settles you can leave her in her home and not make the stress any worse buy just spritzing her several times a day and add some more shells...and when they run around like that with no water in their gills it causes respiratory failure. Do not change the timing on your lighting. Now since this is happening again I think you need to take a good look at your crabbies' and check for mites'. These can be seen as black specs on the lower abdomen. This may also cause this problem. Hopefully it is not. They are VERY hard to get rid of. Molts can be hard on them and really make sure you have enough shells they can be picky. Always make sure they have a salt bath in there at all times along with their fresh water. If its not mites' it's all a process....Good Luck, Tina
http://hermit-crabs.com/care.html
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QUESTION: Thanks so much. It is good to know we are doing almost everything right. Can i just ask if we can bath him while he is out of his shell to get rid of the mites?
AnswerTricia, Yes just be gentle. It is the best time if you have the opportunity. Sometimes a dip in abit of slightly diluted stress coat for fish works better for ridding and drowning mites and protecting his abdomen and it always is good for a coat to help coax him in a shell if necessary. Instead of isolating when they won't change shells if no mites is covering the tank with a towel for privacy. , Tina
