I think my hermit crab is dead

[Alysse]

Hi there, I only recently got hermit crabs, about a week ago and I think one is dying. He hadn't moved from the spot he was in this morning. When I picked him up his leg was next to him and he's retreated far in his shell. Upon holding him awhile he's started to move a tiny bit. Does anyone know what's wrong with him? I don't want him to die. I'm so upset.

[Alysse]

well I thought I saw him move but maybe it was my imagination and he has in fact died. My other crab was at the glass tank when I got home and I laughed and thought it was cute that he looked like he was trying to get out but maybe something is seriously wrong? I believed I had done everything correct

[crabcrazygal]

what have you been feeding your crabs, what type of water do you supply them, and do you have a tank heater or somthing of that discription, have you noticed any mites, or bugs in there tank?
he might of got into a fight with your other crab/crabs.

[Wai]

Have you bought a hygrometer yet? Unlike the USA, Australia is dry all year round and sufficient levels of humidity can only be maintained with frequent monitoring. Have you been holding your hermit crabs frequently this week? Being newcomers, this may stress them a lot.

Most hermit crabs are subject to indecent treatment by poachers and if they survive, they end up in pet stores. PPS (post purchase syndrome) is a common factor that kills off many new hermit crabs, because their transition from the wild was simply too overwhelming and painful for them.

Unlike mammals, such as dogs and cats, hermit crabs are extremely fragile animals and are difficult to keep alive in captivity without a lot of patience, love and experience. Hermit crabs continue to be marketed as pets for kids, because they tend to die within months under the care of toddlers who keep them in critter keepers or shoe boxes.

People get away with torturing hermit crabs, because hermit crabs are almost never promoted by the media as pets that ethically deserve respect. You could sue someone that ran over your dog or cat, but could you sue someone who allegedly crushed your hermit crab with their foot? Would lawyers just look at you with a stupid grin? Back a few years ago, whenever I told someone that I had been extremely upset that one of my hermit crabs had died, they'd often say: "Oh, why don't you just get another one?" Commoners probably wouldn't say something like that to someone whose dog just died.

Since hermit crabs are targeted at children, extensive scientific research on the proper care of them is at a very low demand. If you own a dog, there are thousands of people and vets out there to help you, but you're a hermit crab owner, you're pretty much left alone to make the best out of the minuscule resources available in the offline world. This is why crabbers have resorted to relying on the online world to share their ideas around.

My hermit crab Makemake died of PPS. I hoped to help him regenerate his two lost limbs, but the level of PPS that he was suffering was beyond my control.

[CrabbyJo]

Alysse,
I'm sorry your crab died.
As for the other, he may be experiencing what is called Pre Molt Symptoms (PMS). Sometimes they will try to "climb the walls" when they are in need of a molt, and it is normal. However, since one died, it could have been from the treatment he received before you even got him, and you may not have been able to save him. But to make sure your other crab lives, can you tell us what the temperature and humidity are in the tank (Do you have a temperature gauge and humidity gauge)?
What kind of substrate do you have in the tank? How deep is it?
Do you provide both dechlorinated fresh and salt water for your crabs?
What do you feed your crabs?
Do your crabs have places they can go to hide in their tank?

Also, when crabs are new, they need time to "de-stress". No handling, the only disturbance should be the regular changing of their food and waters. They need to be left alone for about two or three weeks, during which time they may dig down and stay hidden from you while they de-stress.

Some more knowledgeable crabbers should be on soon and will ask you probably more questions and will be able to help you as best they can. Don't despair!

[Lette44]

Sounds like PPS. Some new crabs just cannot take the stress of being harvested, shipped, pulled out of shells, stuffed into shell and then shipped to stores everywhere. They have been w/o adequate distilled water and ocean water. Their temps and humidity is messed up. Dropping of limbs is a sure sign the poor little guy was stressed. Try not to handle a new crab after you put it into the tank, esp if he's showing signs of stress. Although you know you are there to make his life easier, he doesn't know and some crabs just are not strong enough to handle anything else. I'm sorry for your loss. Sadly, losing a hermie never gets easier. Lette