Hermit Crab Help!?

Question

My hermit crab is totally out of its shell and it is not burying himself (I don't think I have enough gravel for it to bury himself in) what should I do? And there is no exoskeleton.

I have enough shells for him to pick from. But should I put some gravel over him because I don't think he can bury himself with the little amount of gravel that I have.

Answer 1

FIRST OF ALL.. just because he is out of his shell does not mean he is going to molt... do not burry him but try to get him cleaned and offer him clean shells.. use ONLY de-chlorinated water NOT tap water.
ALSO every book that is out there.. we own for our rescue and educational facility and they are ALL outdated.. the internet is the best source of up to date info.

Naked crabs usually happen for several reasons.. number one stress... number two being de-hydration and the last main reason is heat.

Gravel should never be used as a hermit crab substrate, it doesnt allow them to burry, the gravel is not soft, does not allow digging tunneling or burrying and also it can get inside of his shell and tear up his soft and sensitive abdomen.

I agree with one of the answerers here, you do need to research much more before you take on Land Hermits Again.
If he is still alive and out of his shell you can take him and a few shells into a clean container that is warm and moist in hopes that he will go into a shell. but normally they die if the tank conditions are where they get out of their shells. You must have tank conditions at a humidt tropical warm enviroment, they breathe with modified gills.

What is the tank humidity and tank temperature? And what kind of water do you use for them??

Land Hermit Crabs, breathe through modified gills therfore they must have the proper humidty in order to breathe as well as the proper temperatre in order to thrive.
You need to monitor all of the tank conditions. One for the temp and one for the humidity will get you started. Keep them as close to substrate level as possible since that is where the crabs are most of the time.
76 - 80 degrees and everyone will be fine. Do not allow the Hermit Crabs to get cold for long periods or they can die. Humidity ranges should be around 76-80% relative, sustained.
With in these levels your crabs and their home will be a happy and active one. If it gets too warm, you can always prop up the lid, same if the humidity gets too high, prop the lid up.To add moisture/humidity add an extra moist sponge or even a bubbler in their water dish.
Water basics:
Use only de-chlorinated or bottled water for everything Hermit Crabs related. The chemicals in tap water (chlorine and heavy metals are toxic to Hermit Crabs also will burn their modified gills.)
You can treat tap water by using a water conditioner for fish, make sure their drinking water doesn't have stress-coat in it though.
Land Hermit Crabs must have both fresh and salt water for drinking. The salt should be obtained from a good aquarium store or pet department, reading the directions carefully.
The fresh water should be de-chlorinated as well. Both dishes should be deep enough for your largest Hermit Crab to fully submerse it's self, while at the same time provide items like shells, smooth stones for your smaller crabs to use to get in and out of the water. One or both water sources can have bubblers or sponges, it is up to you.
Housing:
Glass tank with lid (aquarium with glass lid is best) Can use a quality Kritter Keeper with saran wrap over the lid.
Substrate:
Options include... Calci-Sand, Sterilized playsand, Aragonite Sand, Moist coco-fiber bedding, Crushed coral.
You can mix and match, have seperate areas and containers, it is up to you. Remember there needs to be enough substrate to fully cover the "floor" or the tank. Deep enough for your largest crab to fully submerse or cover it's self. The substrate also needs to be pretty smooth, meaning little to no jaged edges to scrape or injure the Hermit Crabs Exoskeleton prior to, during and after molting.
It also must be insect and chemical free. Human or animal grade not the kind that is used for construction or masonry.
Light:
Hermit Crabs require 12 hours of sunlight each day. This can be a combo of natural and artificial light. The normal aquarium hood light can be good enough.
Once you are ready to get more advanced or need more heating you can buy a bi-light that has both dayglo and nightglo bulbs.. for heat and light during the day and heat during the night. Always try to have full spectrum when possible so the Hermit Crabs get enough of the proper lighting.
Heating:
Land Hermit Crabs live in tropical areas, there for it is quite warm and humid. First there is the heat. Sometimes the lights you use give off a fair amount of heat, yet that does not reach the depths of your substrate when some crabs may be burried.
A UTH (Under Tank Heater) will answer this issue. Found in the reptile area of most pet stores and available in a variety of sizes.. once firmly attached to the bottom of your tank, it will provide heat to the substrate which some crabs prefer.
Make sure you have a cool side and a warm side. UTH should not be used on plastic Kritter Keepers due to warping and the toxic fumes some plastics can give off.. so watch where you stick it!

Answer 2

Don't touch him, first off. If you touch him, or pour gravel on top of him, he WILL die. Chances are, if he didn't go right into another shell, and didn't bury himself right away, he's probably dying. Unfortunately, for a hermit crab, there's nothing you can do but sit by and watch.

For next time, though, if you decide to get a new hermit crab, you should review your husbandry.

Use a fine grade sand mixed with coconut fiber instead of gravel. Gravel is harder for hermit crabs to dig into, and the sand-coconut fiber mixture will not only be easier for him to dig into to shed, but will keep his humidity higher.

Water: absolutely necessary for life. What a lot of people don't know is that hermit crabs need both fresh water (like we drink) and salt water. Not fresh water mixed with table salt, but the same salt water used for marine aquariums. you can buy it prepackaged in some pet stores, or buy the powdered seawater mix sold for marine aquariums. Usually for hermit crabs, you'll want to mix about 2 tbsp mix to 1 c water.

I'm sorry about the guy you have right now. Unfortunately, there's nothing you can do besides try to take the best care of them that you can.

Hope this helps you somewhat.

Answer 3

He needs at least 4 shells to choose from and enough sand to bury himself completely.
Heat and humidity have to be perfect. Get a book about them.

Answer 4

First make sure he is still alive. Smell them. If they smell lile fish or shrimp, they have passed on :(

But, if still alive, try to manuever a shell under their butt. If they see it, they might go into the shell.

I have had this problem many times. I was told to let them be. They would die. I was told to put them alone with a shell. They would die.

I have saved at least 10 of my crabs who have done this. The shell seems to work.

Answer 5

you need to isolate him in 3 inch deep sand for every inch he is long, he is molting,this is the process that hermit crabs go through to shed their exoskelaton and grow a bigger one. I have had hermit crabs for two years and i know everything there is to know about them, olease take my advice!!!

Answer 6

heres a cool name ViVia it means live long in French don't you want your hermit crabs to live long and strong? well your choice :P

Answer 7

try and supply more shells, just because they can get picky. my crab did this for about a week, it's a wonder he made it. after putting about ten more different shells in his tank he finally made a decision.

Answer 8

u need to get him a new shell, he came out of his old shell because it is too small for him

Answer 9

It might be dead.