How did my hermit crab die ?

Question

I found him half out of his shell. When i got home he was all the way out and smelled badly. I thought it was molting but i checked on the internet and said if they smell like fish there dead.

HELP ME !!!

-MADBET15-

Answer 1

We have Hermie's, they are purple pincher's and they are what I am most familiar with, so that is what I will tell you we do to keep ours happy and healthy.

When my 12 year old son wanted Hermie's I made him write a report for me covering everything they need to flourish and live happily.

One big thing is that they live in colonies of up to hundreds, so we bought 13 Hermie's.

They also must be able to burrow when they molt. The smaller the crab the shorter amount of time they burrow, about 2 weeks to 3 months for a large crab.

You must provide them with salt water as well as fresh water and they must remain moist, very humid environment. They do not have lungs, they have gills that breath air and if the gills dry out, they die. They also cannot tolerate chlorine, so we use de-chlorinated water for everything in their enclosure.

They should get a bath at least every other week in saltwater, you just put them in the bowl upside down so water can get into their shell. the salt water is good for them and their gills need it.

You also have to have multiple empty shells for them to change shells.

I would say clean out the tank and get half a dozen, at least 3-4 and give it another go. they are fun little guys(gals) to have around.

Answer 2

You did not provide us with any information about how you cared for the hermit crab. I agree that if it smells it is dead. Here is some information for future hermit crabs.

Hermit crabs require:

1. temperatures between 65 and 85F
2. humidity between 60% and 80%
3. dechlorinated water (just like fish) to drink and for bathing
4. Hermit crab food
5. substrate consisting of play sand or calcium based sand that is deep enough for the hermit crab to bury itself in
6. Things to climb on
7. a glass or plexiglass tank that has a lid to hold the humidity in.

Answer 3

To add to Betty's list, some species also require a bowl of saltwater in addition to freshwater.

They are also social animals and like friends.

Answer 4

Perhaps he outgrew his shell and didn't have any where else to go

Answer 5

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