QuestionQUESTION: Hi,
I still learning about hermit crab. I've got 2 hermit crab last year (Sept 06) but 1 of them died 6 months after i bought them. My problem now is that i realize with the size of my crab (approx. 1 inch in diameter) it should molt 2-3 time a year but it didn't molt for the whole year. I just bought 2 new hermit crab recently because i just realise they like to be in groups but my first hermit crab remain really inactive and weak for the past 2 weeks! I read some information online and realize my crab needs to molt. The environment i provide previously are not suitable for them to molt such as the base is not deep enough for them to bury. I've used really really tiny shells as the base that was recommended by the store. It's light and similar to sand.
Now I have separate my first crab with the 2 new active crabs. I've provide a more humid environment and also depths for him to dig. However he is hardly moving..is it too late? What can i do?
ANSWER: As much as we wish we could, none of us can make a crab molt when we want, even if we know it is for their own good. You say your substrate is like sand, is it damp? Can you clump it like sand when damp? They like to dig caves to molt in and the substrate should be twice as deep as your biggest crab.
Try switching to coconut fiber bedding or sand or a mix and see if that helps.
His lack of movement could mean that he is preparing to molt and some crabs WILL molt on the surface although personally I don't think it's recommended. What is your temp and humidity?
Are you offering fresh and salt water?
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QUESTION: Hi,
Thanks for the information. Previously my substrate is dry but now I've damped it. My hermit crab use to dig into the substrate but I didn't know that was a symptom of molting. I thought it was their habit. My substrate can clump together but probably not as good as sand.
I'm living in Australia (South Australia) the temperature fluctuates quite a lot because it is turning from winter to spring. However, I try to keep my room temperature constant. My room temperature should be around 20 degrees and sometimes warmer.I don't know what is the humidity as I don't have the thing to measure. I've damped the whole substrate and cover the top with a piece of towel.
Do I need to make a hole because my crab doesn't have the strength to dig? or I should wait?
I usually offer fresh water everyday and salt water 1 day every fortnightly. These few days I've provide salt water for my hermit crab. My hermit crab is still moving a bit in and out within his shell occasionally but he hasn't move a step from it's current position.
ANSWER: Okay, I'm in the US so you may have to convert the temps but your temp and humidity need to be between 74 and 82 and be fairly consistant. The humidity is very important because crabs breath through modified gills.
I would offer salt water more often, they need to be able to climb into both their dishes and fill their shells with water and they mix the salinity of their shell water by going back and forth until they are happy.
You don't need to dig a hole but I would watch out for surface molting, if that happens you will need to isolate your crab from his buddies.
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QUESTION: oOoh ok..yeah previously I've mention the temperature in celcius hehe.
I have a few more question. What is the best way to keep the temperature and the humidity in the tank constant? I've change into a bigger glass tank now (previously it was a plastic fish tank) and purchase sand substrate similar to beach sand. I can see my new hermit crab likes it better than the old substrate.
I've move my sick hermit crab to the sand substrate as well but I have isolate him with the other friends.However, he is not moving still. Should I dip him into the salt water or just leave him? I've placed him under a coconut hut as well.
One of my new hermit crab dig deep into the sand substrate as soon as I place him into the new tank. Does that mean he might be molting soon as well? Can they find their way out back if they are buried in the sand?
AnswerOh no! I thought I had answered this one already. I'm so sorry!
What are you using now to regulate temp? My favorite way to regulate humidity is through the use of natural moss. There's an article about it on my website www.naturallycrabby.com. It's easy to use and works great!
Just leave your little sick one. At this point a bath would just stress him out more. How is he doing?
They love to dig. Some dig for fun, some dig down to destress, some dig to molt, there's no way to know but you don't have to worry, they can get themselves out no problem.
