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Help!! My hermie is blowing bubbles!!

21 14:58:19

Question
Hi! I just got a hermit crab. It has a big purple claw (I'm not sure what the correct name is...but i'm sure you do) Anyways...I came home today and it had bubbles all over the inside of it's shell! I've been looking online as to what is going on with him...but I can't find anything! Is it ok? Do you know or have you ever heard of one doing this?
Please let me know asap! I'm worried about the little guy!

Answer
Hello,

   The hermit crab you have is a Purple Pincher, scientific Name, Coenobita Clypeatus or Caribbean Land Hermit Crab ALSO sometimes known as a tree crab. Welcome to the wonderful world of Land Hermit Crabs!   
   I have seen this before; there are a few reasons why this happens. It will depend on the color of the bubbles.        
    If they are clear like bubbles it could be few things, either he is frothing the shell water in his shell helping clean it or frothing it as a defensive move, since they will often push water out of their shells when picked up. Or it could be a male hermit crab and the bubbles could be his Spermatophore, because there has been observations of mating land hermit crabs before and clear to whitish foam/bubbles were present. (I have personally witness this as well here in our rescue)
   If the bubbles are brownish and or foul smelling then action needs to be taken now. The brown bubbles are a sign of an injured or extremely stressed hermit crab who is either too hot or too dry or both.
   Make sure the tank is not more than 82 degrees F, and if it is near that then try to lower the temp to more around 77 to allow the crab to properly acclimate to the heat.
   Also make sure there is enough humidity in the tank, 75%-85% relative is the range which will be best for the crab.
    Now he also may have a very dirty shell which is causing irritation of his abdomen, in this case, make sure the water pools you have provided are deep and large enough that he can get down into the water and fully submerse himself to clean out his shell.
    He will be ok as long as you can get him stabilized and comfortable. Here are some tips to help you along...
   I would not over handle the crab at this time and allow him to de-stress. When pet owners get new crabs it is important to allow the crab 2 weeks or so to get used to his new environment with very little human contact except for the food and water change and spot cleaning.
   Stress will also be alleviated if you get at least one other tank mate for him, because since he is a wild exotic crustacean it is important to provide a natural habitat in his best interests. Since he was just taken from a colony of 100 or more and then placed into the hands of the commercial pet industry and then home with you, he is under a lot of stress and is scared/not happy. Hermit crab always do much better with at least one other tank mate, 3 is usually best, but at least one will give him someone to bond with and help him thrive and be encouraged to be active.
   Make sure you provide both fresh and natural oceanic/marine salt waters both of which must be de-chlorinated. They must have salt water available to them... they are beach and shore dwelling creatures.
   Foods that are best are fresh fruits, veggies, meats, fish and whole grains, and never offer the same things two times in a row.

I sure hope some of this has helpped you. Depending on the color of the actual bubbles, clear/whitish you have nothing to worry about too much and the brownish you need to act on.

Now if it is a bubble that is attached to it's abdomen that is another entire thing, but I will wait to see if this information that I have offered you today has helpped you some.

Thank you so much for writing to me today, if you need anything else please write back!!
Jenn