My hermie is out of it's shell

Spedane · Post by **Spedane** » 22 Jun 2006, 11:15

Hello again. I'm hoping someone can give me some insight as to what the heck is going on with one of my hermies. He's been sitting in the salt water dish (not submerged so he's protected from drowning) for about 3 days. Now he's come out of his shell. The temp and humidity are appropriately set, the others seem to be doing fine. I just can't figure him out! Is it possible he's preparing to molt? As the water has evapurated, I'm relucatant to refill it at this point. I haven't bothered him yet since I'm not quite sure what's going on. Any advice? He moves around in the dish but doesn't get out of it or back in his shell. Is he dying? What can I do for him?

iluvhermies · Post by **iluvhermies** » 23 Jun 2006, 01:41

Well in my opinion I would say by the sitting in the salt water that he was preparing to moult. It may be that the shell it was in is to small or uncomfortable to him . If you have an isolation tank I would see about picking up the whole salt water dish and moving it into isolation. adding a few bigger shells and food and water and a hut if you have them and covering it up and check as little as possible. I had one that was shaken from her shell and she ended up dying however this one has come out by itself. I have read from others that their crabs have come out of their shells and stayed out for a little while before returning. If you do not have an isolation tank I would just add shells that are bigger than the one it is in now and wait and see all you can do.

Jaci · Post by **Jaci** » 23 Jun 2006, 06:14

i agree. be sure to keep it the perfect humidity, their exos can dry out, that could be why he's spending time in the water. also, be sure that it's dark. hermies are nocturnal and are more comfortable in the dark. i would definately keep my eye on him, especially if you have other crabs in the tank with him. Being out of his shell, he's very vulnerable. if you don't have an ISO tank, i'd suggest getting one just for these instances. i've never had a surface molt, but if he is going to be a surface molter, then i'd read everything about what to do for surface molters in the Molting forum. keep an eye on him and let us know what happens.

Beachdude2211 · Post by **Beachdude2211** » 19 Aug 2006, 07:56

i'd say if you isolated him from the others, and left him alone for a few days, eventually it will go back in its shell

hermiesrokmysox · Post by **hermiesrokmysox** » 19 Aug 2006, 23:46

ISO him with him shell and a few other to choose from. Give him lots of cutle bone (calcium) and try some honey, too.

iluvhermies · Post by **iluvhermies** » 20 Aug 2006, 14:41

you can try to encourage it to go back into a shell. To do this:

1 take the shell and put it in dechloranized water to clean it out.
2 Next carefully pick up the crab and place it in dechloranized water to remove the sand from its abdomen.
3 place the crab and shell in your hands and set the crab over the shell abdomen inside it.

I have done this with a couple of them and they have returned to their shells.

Jaci · Post by **Jaci** » 21 Aug 2006, 10:58

they like honey? any particular kind? i tried natural applesauce but they didnt' really go for that.