Luna

[Salt and Pepper]

Well, I was filling the dish with fresh water when I saw luna sitting there with the tip of her shell in the dish. I figured she was waiting for a drink and I decided to check on her later. Later, she was still their. I tried to pick her up and check on her, and she was falling out. Have I mentioned I am afraid of ther abdomen coming out of the shell? Well, she was coming out and I screamed. Everytime I'd pick her up I would just have the shell and Luna coming out. Her eyes were pushed together and she was really loose in her shell. We put her on a cardboard lid and held her to check for movement. She sure moved- she moved out of her shell. Once she was out of her shell, I was fine but disgusted. When my Ecudorians had died to PPS, they had a long curly abdomen like the end of a celery stalk. But luna had a big fat shrimp looking thing hanging on to her. Pure disgusting looking. It was a light pinkish color like this . Eww. Had this perhaps been a molt bubble? She hadn't been showing molting signs as Kawaii had done (Gray bubble, non activity).
So, I'm wondering why did she die? Molting troubles?

[CrabbyJo]

hon, what you saw may very well have been her pleopods. They are present on females, and are used for holding the hermit crab eggs when they are developing before the female crab puts them into the ocean (tide pools I believe).

I am very sorry you lost her. It's never easy.

If it were molting problems it would have happened when she molted, or very close to that time. You didn't mention when she molted last. When asking a question, it's best to give some background info in the post. It's hard to keep track of who has what crab and what is happening with each person.
It is very hard to say why she died with no info.

Have you had your tank at the right temps and humidity? I think I remember issues with you getting gauges and salt water before, did you get that squared away?
If you haven't gotten the things your crabs need to live, they will continue to die, I'm sorry to say.
It will take a bit of info and conversation I think to figure out just what may have happened to Luna.

Again, I'm so sorry for your loss. Hopefully we can figure out the problem to help you keep your other crabs safe and alive.

[ladybug15057]

I am sorry for the hermies. If Luna was attempting to molt, by placing her on the cardboard to look at her was stressful. By interrupting a hermie when they are molting (actually in the process of removing their exo) this can cause them to stop removing the exo and causing them to become stuck within it. When they are removing the exo they have no 'muscle tone' and are not able to hold themselves withing the shells and yes they will slide out. When one is in doubt they should leave the hermie completely alone. If the hermie is dead there is nothing one can do for them. If they are in the midst of molting by interrupting them can be lethal.
Going back and pulling up some of your posts, being since at least August (as far back as I went) your hermies have been lacking a couple criteria they need to remain healthy and to thrive by. Unfortunately, this maybe the results you are starting to note with them:

September 26th, 2009
Instant Ocean

What about the food and lights? (Warming source?)

September 4th, 2009-September 12th, 2009

Heat lights/food

August 15th, 2009
Petco Pre-Mixed Saltwater

August 14th, 2009
Help!.Emergency!.Multiple.Lost.Limbs.Pale.Crab!

[CrabbyJo]

I'm afraid Marie is right. When you said the UTH was getting extremely hot and the crabs were avoiding that side of the tank, the damage could have been done then. When a hermie suffers damage from heat, they do not get well, and they will eventually die. My Mario died about 4 weeks after he had buried himself on top of a too hot UTH.

Did you ever manage to correct the humidity and temp issues?

[Salt and Pepper]

She wasn't molting. She was on the opposite side. They were avoiding the uth but now, they sometimes go on it. Wasabi molted, that was the multiple lost limbs crab. No, I still don't have that lid or salt. I confess. I mean I have the salt, but I have a little bit of water left in the gallon and I don't think we have any water. I don't think Luna is a girl, maybe. I've seen the 2 dots or whatever on Jake who I thought was male. I've changed her name to Jacklyn. I really see why it's necessary, I'm going to have to get it very soon. It really dissapoints me.

[CrabbyJo]

I don't think you understand hon. When your UTH got So hot that they were avoiding it by staying on the other side of the tank, it is very likely they suffered from heat damage before they realized they couldn't stand that much heat.

With heat damage, they don't show any symptoms for several weeks sometimes.

Yes hon, without taking care of those issues, you may be looking at more dead crabs again very soon.

We stress the need for these items for a reason. Pet stores are clueless. Hermit crabs have specific needs, and will die within months without them.

You also may be seeing the result of:

1) Lack of proper humidity
2) Lack of a consistent/ proper temperature
3)Lack of proper nutrients needed from ocean water mix
4)improper diet lacking in vital nutrients to maintain life

Maybe someone older would be willing to help you out with all this? Maybe ask someone if they would be willing to look at some care sheets with you and help you get your tank set up correctly?
It is okay to ask for help with something that is a bit bigger than you can handle by yourself.
If you ask an older family member to help you in a way that sounds responsible and mature, they will be impressed and more likely to help you, as they see you are trying to take care of it yourself, but need help.
Let them know you've been trying to take good care of your hermit crabs, but there are certain things they need that they don't have, and now they are dying. Remember not to get too excited or upset, remain calm and matter of fact.
Ask them if they can help you figure out ways you can fix their tank and their diet so the other crabs won't die.
Here's a good starter page with a basic list in case the person you ask wants to read a list for themselves: Are you Ready for a Land Hermit Crab?

keep in mind it's been found that stress coat is generally found not to be needed for bathing. Also, mix ocean salt according to the package directions.

Best of luck to you, SaltandPepper, let us know how things go!

[ladybug15057]

And to help, spidtat did an article too for those who are on a budget:
http://crabstreetjournal.com/xoops/modu ... rds=budget

[Salt and Pepper]

I'm not really on a budget.. But, I don't have any money really.. I'm a kid. I try my best, but some times its kind of hard! I don't want to sound rude, but I can't drive! I finished homework at 10:30 last night, I'm waaaay too busy! I've pretty much settled things out. After begging and begging, I finally got another cuttlebone while buying another hermie and guinea pig supplies a few days ago. The cuttlebones at Petco are onsale for 48 cents! I saved some cooked meat from supper and gave it too them. They pretty much ignored it. It got all dry, shriveled up, and buried on top of with EE. I spent a long time chopping up one of the cuttlebones and fed them that. I've been having salt, like a long time now. They like the saltwater, but mostly sit in it and flick their antennae and get out. I desperately need a PlexiGlas lid. My dad said he will, but never does. He said he has to 'measure my tank' and we can't find the tape measure... I sound like I'm pushing things off and bragging/complaining.. But I've got a lot to do with my hermit crabs. I don't know where to start and how to do it. I'm feeling a little.. intimidated.. kind of nervous. Can I please get a quite basic response on where I'm at with my hermit crabs, what to do, and how to get started?
Thank you.

[ladybug15057]

What you are asking has been replied too, in some cases multiple times. Please do read back through the replies that have been done to your postings:

search.php?author_id=1524&sr=posts

For basic and where you are standing, I think you realize that you are still lacking criteria needed. It has also been asked to please not purchase any other hermies until you had all that your original ones needed.

Please also read:
#10 & 11 At:
viewtopic.php?f=55&t=4

Wai has also updated the Crab Care section, please refer to it.
The link I gave to spidtats article IS for those who are lacking funds, but there is NOT a way to keep hermies healthy without certain items and he mentions this in his article!

[Wai]

Can I please get a quite basic response on where I'm at with my hermit crabs, what to do, and how to get started?

Oh dear, please don't ask us that. Have you been reading through all the replies that we've spent a lot of time writing? If you are short on money, why on earth did you buy another hermit crab? The money should have been spent on getting all the supplies you need to keep your other hermit crabs happy and healthy.

Hermit crabs do not become healthier when they meet new friends. They only become healthier when more proper supplies are offered to them.