New crabs buried themselves; Newbie needing advice! :)

[MeowMixx1980]

Hi, everyone! I just returned to crabbing after several years. I had various hermies as a child, and after going to the beach this year, acquired some hermies again. So much has changed from what I remember with their care!

I currently have 10 small hermies I obtained at the beach. They are living in a 20L that is kept at 70-75F. I use Forest Bedding for their substrate, and have both a freshwater and saltwater bath for them. I'm using a commercial crab diet that is supplemented with various fruits and veggies, and am up for any suggestions on what is best to offer for food.

Since bringing them home about a week ago, they've all buried themselves in the substrate. 2 of the 10 occasionally come out at night, but the remaining 8 are buried within the ground. They are not eating as far as I can tell, which concerns me. Should I let them be for now and account this to stress from being in a new tank, or should I dig them up? How do I get them interested in eating?

Also, how do I keep their substrate moist/humid? I mist their tank often, but the substrate dries out pretty quickly. Thanks so much for any help you guys can provide!

[ladybug15057]

Welcome to HCP! Please do read the Crab Care section, it is full of updated info.

http://www.hermitcrabparadise.com/crabcare/

There is also a search bar in the upper right hand corner that is a valuable tool to help with finding information.
Your hermies are undergoing PPS (post purchase stress) and should be permitted to destress. It is suggested to only offer shallow substrate with a hidey as opposed to letting them burrow. This helps them to adjust better as well as being able to smell the food and encourage eating.
But now that they have burrowed... one should never dig a hermie up that has buried.

[MeowMixx1980]

Thanks so much for the prompt response! I will definitely go over the info on this site - can use all the information I can get! Is there a point that I should be concerned if they do not eat by? Are there foods that are more enticing for them, maybe? I kind of gathered this was PPS, based on what I read up to this point, but wanted another opinion to be sure. Thanks again for the help!

[ladybug15057]

For now and especially while they are burrowed the stinkier the better... sardines, tuna, shrimp... anything to encourage them to come up, but also have other foods from the 'hermie pyramid' too for them in the dish.

[MeowMixx1980]

Stinky food it is, then! So, just keep leaving stinky food out and replace daily until they unburrow, and no matter how long it takes, don't dig them out?

Thanks!

[ladybug15057]

Well, maybe in about 9-12 weeks you may want to figure a way to find out if they are coming up while you're not looking. If one uses sand they can smooth the sand and watch for hermie tracks.

[Mim]

Hi All,
I have just scored myself 2 new hermies, Patrick & Bob... I am having the same problem with Patrick.. But I have found that at the moment, he will only eat grapes!! (Red ones...lol)

I have found Bob to be quite active at night.. But patrick is very quiet.. When I did try to handle him, I ened up with a very nasty "Bite"... I dont think I will try that again in a hurry... My finger is still bruised!!

Hope the grapes will help!!

Mim