3 of my 5 crabs are buried
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jag713
- Zygote
- Posts: 2
- Joined: 22 May 2010, 01:37
- Gender: Male
- Hermit crabs: 5
- Total gallons: 10
- Total tanks: 1
3 of my 5 crabs are buried
I purchased 5 hermit crabs from a local pet store. The first week they were all active at all times of the day. At first my litteiest crab began to bury itself. Then another larger crab did the same. I saw the larger crab once a few days later at about 3 am eating and then he buried again and hasn't been seen since. Now a third crab has buried itself two days ago and I havent seen him since. I am retired so I check the crabs frequently throughout the night. I haven't seen the little crab or the other for about a week now. The other two crabs are still out and about. I have all the necessary items for the crabs, salt water, freshwater dechlorinated, coconut husk substrate and sand substrate. I have a place for them to hide under and a cool and hot side of the tank. They all eat well. Fresh food and rarely store bought crab food. My temp is always between 73 and 85 and the humidity is stable. I mist the tank daily and the crabs that are out daily as per the store instructions. I take them out to exercise outside when its nice out. It should be noted that I did research moulting and did not notice any signs of this. What could be the issue? I dont want to dig up the crabs as this can cause issue but I dont want them to die either. I am in the process of purchasing a large 40 gallon tank so they have more room. What do I do and are my crabs sick? Thanks in advance.
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CrabbyJo
- Coenobita
- Posts: 1849
- Joined: 21 Jan 2009, 13:31
- Gender: Female
- Hermit crabs: 7
- Total gallons: 85
- Total tanks: 4
- Location: Alaska
Re: 3 of my 5 crabs are buried
Actually, if you just got them recently, it may have been that they did spend a bit of time in the ocean salt water? It may have been that your little guys really were ready for molting, but didn't show a lot of symptoms. It happened to me. 
I also had one go down within a week of owning him and he didn't come up for 28 days.
There is also the factor that crabs will bury themselves to destress, and they could be spending up to two weeks doing just that. Since you have cocofiber substrate, and it is likely moist, they have plenty to eat and drink (they draw water from the cocofiber and eat it as well) to keep them sustained. Don't worry is my advice to you. You have given them everything they need, so trust them to do what nature is telling them.
When you get the big tank set up, once the temp and humidity is stabilized, move over all the crabs on the surface, and you will have to maintain both tanks for a while until everyone is up.
Happened to me! Cost me extra because my plan was to use items from the small tank for my big one. My little crab who decided to molt changed all that.
I also had one go down within a week of owning him and he didn't come up for 28 days.
There is also the factor that crabs will bury themselves to destress, and they could be spending up to two weeks doing just that. Since you have cocofiber substrate, and it is likely moist, they have plenty to eat and drink (they draw water from the cocofiber and eat it as well) to keep them sustained. Don't worry is my advice to you. You have given them everything they need, so trust them to do what nature is telling them.
When you get the big tank set up, once the temp and humidity is stabilized, move over all the crabs on the surface, and you will have to maintain both tanks for a while until everyone is up.
Happened to me! Cost me extra because my plan was to use items from the small tank for my big one. My little crab who decided to molt changed all that.
6 hermit crabs - 3 PPs and 3 Equadorians
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Please feel free to share information from this website, but please be sure to give credit and a link back to the information. Failure to give credit is plagiarism. Don't take credit for someone else's information.
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jag713
- Zygote
- Posts: 2
- Joined: 22 May 2010, 01:37
- Gender: Male
- Hermit crabs: 5
- Total gallons: 10
- Total tanks: 1
Re: 3 of my 5 crabs are buried
Thank you that makes me feel better to know that I am not doing something wrong..lol I guess they all want to moult together like one big happy family.. Thanks again for you help.