QuestionQUESTION: I'm really worried I have had Mister krabs for a little over 3 years now. In the winter which was about 6 weeks ago when it gets cold I take him from his 10 gallon tank and put him in a smaller plastic one that he is used to on top of my DVR which is very warm. When I first put him in this year I did it because his shell was like ice when I picked him up from the other 10 g tank. He seemed SO So happy in the warm tank (its definitely not too hot or warm) anyway, he was climbing and drinking and eating and very active. No for the past about 4 days he has been chirping which is unusual for him and tipping over a very heavy (half of an apple") ceramic water dish over he has used that dish since I got him, ever time I clean up the spill and fix his food and water he will do it again within a few hours. Now his cage is musty smelling again. I have to get new sand but I haven't had $ for it until tomorrow. But I'm worried this is not like Mister Krabs. How long do they live? Could he be sick? It seemed to have started when he changed his shell which he does rarely. Now last night he is back in his old shell and I mean this is the same shell through about 2 or 3 molts. He also is chirping a lot at night and day but more at night. Please help?
ANSWER: It sounds like he is close to molting. Does he have access to salt water? Does he have adequate substrate to dig and bury himself in?
Does he have a friend?
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Mister Krab
QUESTION: I don't think he is molting again he just molted not even 2 months ago and I know how he acts. He does not have a friend I could barely afford to keep him. I think he is a pp I thought maybe you could tell from the pic I know it's bad I will try to send a better one. I wish I could find a GOOD home for him. I'm afraid to hold him. But I'm attached to the little guy. Anyway he came to me through my daughter, she does not know how to take care of things too well, I also obtained a rabbit and her son(my grandson from her as well :o). Anyway she had him in a wire cage small tube like. no water etc....she took him from my grandson's aunt who through his friend down a hill from what it sounds like he wasn't dead but molting. I would be afraid he would end up with something like that.I have had him 3 years and never has he acted like this. I have 3 inside cats and 2 strays on the porch besides the above. I just hope he isn't in some sort of pain or something that's what I worry about or he needs something desperately. He also keeps tipping his food and water dish. Anyway could he be sick? How old do they get and do they act weird before death?
AnswerA crab will molt as often as they feel the need to, and a major climate change will often trigger their molt cycle. If you are looking for a good place for them to be adopted out try http://www.hermitcrabadoptioncenter.com
Honestly, chirping, charging, and tipping the dish are signs that your crab is pre-molt. He's definitely a PP from the picture. He needs fresh water and salt water (ocean style) and a moist substrate that he can dig down in. If the substrate is not moist he will attempt to make it moist by dumping the dish.
Crabs do not exhibit any certain behavior before they die except perhaps, being very lethargic. A crab will also drop limbs when they are very stressed or in pain. An active crab is a happy crab. Crabs live 30-50 years so the odds are very slim that he's doing this because he's sick or near death.
