QuestionWe have a 10 gal tank with coconut substrate in one end and walnut shell sand stuff in the other. I have a great water dish with shells and sponges in it to escape if too deep. We keep it full. The water is from a well and goes through the salt softening system. I have a food dish and several small shells to chose from if they want to switch. we change them every so often. I have kept the tank moist by spraying it and the substrate at the coconut end. I spray the crabs as well. They have a bath every few days too. I have a hut and a climbing structure. We got 3 crabs a few months ago. One died after a few weeks. died in the shell, part way out. We were more carefull about keeping the tank humid after that. I gave them baby shrimp dried and hermit crab food. I never saw them eat much at all. they were all so small. Still the 2nd died the day before Christmas. I thought that maybe they need salt. So, unable to get to a pet store, i got a salt wheel for hamsters and put it in. The other day I had some white rice and gave the 3rd one some it actually ate some on my hand. Then today she died. 2 claws were in the food dish, her shell was next to the dish, and her body was a few inches away. If there were another one in there I would say it was maybe a fight. I played with her yesterday, she crawled around on my hane as usual. I am so confused. Plus , even though I did most of the care, they belonged to my 12 year old. I really loved them. what did i do wrong? Could they have all been sick when we got them? They were alll very small. dime, nickle, and quarter sized.
Do bigger ones eat better and have a better chance?
AnswerIt's always hard to say when a crab dies but from your description there are some problem areas in your setup that might be the culprit.
I would try next time, using bottle spring water instead of your well water. Hermit crabs are very sensitive to chemicals.
Get a hygrometer and thermometer and monitor the humidity/temp. It should stay between 74 and 82.
As long as you have good water dishes (fresh and salt) you don't need to bath your crabs. This is often a stress factor that leads to crab death.
I wouldn't offer the salt wheel again but it was probably not harmful, they need ocean style salt water in a seperate pool. They use it to regulate their metabolism and to make shell water that keeps their abdomens moist.
Please followup if you'd like more information.
I've also got a series of article for getting started on my website
http://naturallycrabby.com/home/blog2.php
