Uh-oh, the hermit crab won't move...Final Update page 2

[elgerber]

Well, one of our hermit crabs, Freedom, the red white and blue one (we have 3 total), crawled up in the water dish this morning, and then proceeded to sit there all day. I tried putting it in a bath of water (they get very active then) and it wouldnt' crawl around. It would move it's antennaes slightly now and then, but it now hasn't moved since I put it back in the tank. Guess I'm going to have to break it to the kids soon huh??? Thank goodness it's not the dog or the cat LOL. We still have 2 crabs left, but it's still rather sad, as we've had them for almost 10 months now.

Erika

 

[newholiday]

Im sorry
The kids do get attached to these pets

 

[Jaimee]

I wouldn't be too quick to assume to the worst! DS has hermit crabs and we had one that didn't move for about a week. I looked up the hermit crab discussion board (yes there is such a thing complete with pictures of people kissing their hermit crabs....) and it said they will do that sometimes. We left King Arthur Moses (don't ask, DS6 came up with the name) alone and he was in one spot for almost 3 weeks, and he's back to his normal self now....

 

[hercamore]

Oh no,

Let's hope he just "meditating".

herc.

 

[pkasbohm]

we had this happen to us recently w/ our ds crabs. It crawled up in the water dish for about a week and then...it molted. I did ended up dying becuase it wouldn't take the shell that we had for it and another crab moved into his shell so he had no shell.

 

[elgerber]

We were about to throw it out, since it wouldn't react to anything. Not being dunked in water, or water misting, or our fingers right in front of it's eyes, usually they are very twitchy and pull back in their shells if we put our fingers anywhere near them. I picked her (I am not sure why we have branded it a her) up and it felt like she would just fall out of her shell, so we figured she wasn't hanging on anymore. After the kids saw her, we went to pick her up and throw her away, but this time she was gripping the shell. Still no reaction when we put our fingers in front of her eyes, but she was hanging on inside. So, we have put her in a separate tank in the coco hut, with her own water and sponge and we'll just see what happens.

Not moving from one spot for a long time we don't worry about, cuz if we do pick them up, they move, but this is just weird, she is just laying still as a rock, not tucked into her shell.

We'll just have to wait and see, but how long???

Where is this hermit crab board??

Thanks!!

Erika

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

Sounds like she is definitely molting. Ours just did the same thing. At this point, please don't keep trying to get her to move or react in anyway. She needs to be left alone. It could take up to a week to complete the process. You have probably already read this, but don't remove the eco-skeletal remains as the crab will eat it for the calcium to harden her new shell. Also, don't let any other crabs near her as molting gives off a scent that is irresistable to other crabs and they will injure her trying to eat the old shell (we found this out the hard way).

Just be patient...she'll be back to her old self in no time. Good Luck !!!

P.S. If it turns out that she's sick and dying -- the very strong, fishy smell will be very obvious.

 

[mommytotwo]

They don't sell those hermit crabs here, so when I had first seen it in Las Vegas, I was interested to see what it was. How long do these crabs usually live and what do they eat?

 

[newholiday]

is the board

landhermitcrabs.com

 

[elgerber]

Thanks everyone. We have just put her in her own tank and let it sit for now. Some of her symptoms sound like molting, according to the websites I've read, but a couple also match the signs that your crab is dead that I've read. She didn't smell yesterday, but we are just gonna let her be for awhile and see what happens. She has not moved at all since yesterday, she is still just laying on her side half out of her shell, but don't worry I haven't touched her, but I can see her in the coco hut.

I'll give you an update in a few days to let you know what the outcome was.

Thanks for your help!!!

Erika

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

Erika:
When our last crab molted, I thought she had died as it looked like she was thrust forward, out of her shell. After a day or two, I carefully moved the shell back and realized she had already molted and was curled back up inside. What I was seeing was the eco-skeletal remains. Kind of gross but fascinating at the same time!

 

[elgerber]

Question for you, when they molted like that, and it turned out to be shell, were the eyestalks and feelers still outside, do they have shells to shed??

Thanks!

Erika

 

[tmq2766]

 

[elgerber]

I know that sounded strange, but she had said that she thought the crab was hanging out of the shell, but it was only the exo-skeleton. My crab her eye stalks and antennae are outside the shell as well, and I was wondering if they had some kind of outer part that shed during molting that, but I didn't think they did.

On an updated note, I just opened the tank lid(I did not touch her or go near her) see if she smelled yet, and she definitely shifted slightly, so she is not dead yet.

Erika

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

I really couldn't see the feelers, etc. as the crab almost looked like it was leaning forward, touching the sand. You might want to place your crab somewhere dark as I've read that also helps with molting. I'm sure your wait will be over soon.

 

[pkasbohm]

you probably know this already but make sure you put a bigger shell in the same place as her because she will have to switch shells.

 

[elgerber]

I have all that stuff covered, thank goodness LOL. She is under the coco-hut, which stays pretty dark. I also put a bigger shell in the tank with her. Now to wait and see if anything happens.

Thanks again everyone!!

Erika

 

[manchurianbrownbear]

Erika,

I noticed today that there is a hermit crab kiosk at RIDGEDALE!

And its right outside the Disney Store!

You ought to set up a webcam so everyone can monitor Freedom's condition!

 

[elgerber]

Originally posted by manchurianbrownbear
Erika,

I noticed today that there is a hermit crab kiosk at RIDGEDALE!

And its right outside the Disney Store!

You ought to set up a webcam so everyone can monitor Freedom's condition!

Ridgedale again eh??? LOL, that is where Freedom came from. We got her last fall. They don't have nearly as many as they did then. I'll have to think about that webcam, cute idea, but not much to see right now LOL.

Erika

 

[elgerber]

Still no change in crab status today. I have to laugh though, at what a small world it is. I walked into TDS today at Ridgedale and one of the employees says, "Hey Erika, how's Freedom doing?" LOL. My hermit crab is famous now because of the DIS.

Erika