Well yesterday when I was holding my crab he spit out a brownish liquid onto my hand. I put him back into his cage and he dug himself a hole and now just sits there. I picked him up this morning and his leg fell of. Is my crab dead, sick, or is this a sign of molting? He also has a "cage mate" and I bought him when I went on vacation. Help Please!!
2006-07-01 04:25:45 · 10 answers · asked by Pinky Wata Melon!! 1 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
I just got the crab 3 days ago. He lives in a "starter" Hermit crab kit with another crab who is very active. Today another leg fell off too. Should I put him in another cage so my other hermie doesn't bother him?
2006-07-01 13:26:32 · update #1
What happened is a sign of extreme stress. over heating And dry conditions.
The tank need to be at a temperature range of 76-83 degrees F and as level as possible... and the humidity must be between 75%-86% relative and also as level and constant as possible.
You did not mention the type of set up you are using.. the temp, humidity, types of waters or food etc so it is hard to give a proper diagnosis BUT as with my experience with Hermits in bad condition it is certain that the tank conditions are not good and causing him stress and now death. If he isn't dead yet HE will be soon.
That brown fluid was his own body boiling out... sometimes it can also be very rotten water from inside of his shell.
Once you notice a crab is sick or has a problem.. you should NEVER touch it again or it will cause stress beyond fixing and it will die... crabs are not pet/pets that need or like to be held, handled or played with. They need contact/sustained ideal tank conditions with good fresh natural foods that are human grade NOT commercial and fresh and marine/oceanic de-chlorinated waters in 2 seperate deep containers so they can fully submerse if they want to.
Sand need to be clean and deep enough so they fully burry themselves.. another good choise for them is moist coco-fiber bedding.
2006-07-01 12:29:40 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Brown liquid is a sign of overheating. If he is listless (just sitting) he could be starving for air as they breathe differently than we do and must have enough moisture around 70%). On the other hand, they do bury themselves for up to 2 weeks to molt, and that leg falling off could be just the exoskeleton dropping off as it is molted. Leave it alone as it needs to be buried slightly in the sand if molting. It will be very fragile after molting as the hard skeleton will have been removed so that it can grow. Please read the sites for more details - both are great for information.
2006-07-01 04:40:44 · answer #2 · answered by still learning at 56 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Probably the other one hurt your old crab, and hes mad at you that's why he spit on you.
2006-07-01 04:28:13 · answer #3 · answered by nemodelmar 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
he crapped in your hand an is probly hungry feed him small goldfish in a waterbowl
i had a few of these i know what im saying
good luck
2006-07-01 04:28:43 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
take the hermit back to the railroad track where you found it
2006-07-01 04:43:03 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
LOL! That's some funny ****. Literally. Your crab **** on you and died.....
2006-07-01 04:28:01 · answer #6 · answered by Robert B 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
http://www.hermit-crabs.com/care.html
2006-07-01 04:37:13 · answer #7 · answered by triviatm 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
YOU"RE KILLING HIM!!
stop picking him up!
2006-07-01 04:28:04 · answer #8 · answered by IDNTGIVASHT 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
he craped on you and he is embarresed
2006-07-01 04:28:45 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
And what did you do to him?
2006-07-01 04:29:06 · answer #10 · answered by hopflower 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋