Hermit crabs live long lives in large colonies.They are sometimes considered a starter pet.Hermit crabs are easy to keep happy and healthy.hermit crabs can get sick under certain circumstancesIf you watch for symptoms of illness, you can tell if your crab is sick and get her the treatment she needs.
Step 1: Look for signs of illness.
Crabs can get sick.Problems with their habitat, or crabitat, are usually the reason for this.
Step 2: Look for dry skin.
Water is needed to keep the crabs' skin moist and healthy.It is possible to keep your crab from drying out by examining it for signs of dry skin.Lack of water in the tank or on a sponge can be signs of dry skin.
Step 3: There was a lack of movement.
The environment in the tank is important to the health of a crab.If your crab isn't moving much, the water in its habitat or even toxic paint on its shell could be killing it.Lethargy can be a sign of stress.Most hermit crabs like to play and will move around a lot if they are not sick.Make sure your crab is moving and not hanging out of its shell, which can be a sign that it is dying.A lack of movement can be a sign of molting.
Step 4: It's time to smell the tank.
Illnesses related to the habitat can be caused by foul odor coming from the tank.If you notice bad smells coming from the animals or parts of the tank, you should check on your crabs every day.There may be a wide range of odors that can signal problems.These include rotting food, stinky feet, fish or shrimp.
Step 5: Make sure to check for mites.
Mites are the most common cause of health issues for hermit crabs and you should be especially vigilant in checking for these.There are good and harmless mites that live in crab's spaces and bodies, but there are also bad and harmful mites.Gill mites, which are light pink or red and bury into the gills of crabs, are some of the harmful mites.There is a flap of skin that protects the gills of live animals.Crab mites glue themselves to the soft parts of the crabs bodies.Crab mites can be white, cream, grey, pink, or red.
Step 6: Observe behavior.
In addition to the physical symptoms of illness, hermit crabs may also exhibit unusual behaviors.Your crabs can alert you to potential problems if you check on them daily.Consuming large amounts of food or water in the water dish is a behavioral problem to watch out for.It hides in its shell for long periods if it likes attention.It was raining in the open.Hanging out of its shell is limp or lifeless.
Step 7: It's a good idea to avoid confusion.
Sickness is rare among crabs.There can be some confusion when trying to tell if your crab is sick because many of the symptoms are similar to the signs of illness.Some additional signs that your crab may be sick are: Digging, drinking large amounts of water or soaking in the dish, spilling water, and cloudy eyes.
Step 8: Leave the crabs alone.
The process of growing crab skin can take weeks or months.If you notice your crab is changing shape, leave it alone because she may be very fragile and any type of contact can cause her stress.You should be aware that healthy crabs will hide in a dark spot of the tank.The crab may not be able to eat.Remove the skin from the crab.She is going to eat the skin for calcium.
Step 9: If possible, do not handle your crab.
You should not touch your crab in any way.This can cause stress and death for the crab.If you blow on or poke your crab, it can stress your pet.If you don't handle crabs with care, they can get bites.
Step 10: There are sick crabs.
If you suspect one of your crabs is sick, you need to separate it from its crab friends.Prepare a large bucket or other container to hold your crab.The isolation tank should be the same as your crab's normal habitat.The crabitat should have some dechlorinated water, coconut fiber, toys, and food.Make sure your crab is healing.Move it back to the regular tank once it appears healthy again.This can kill crabs if they are isolated.They should be left alone in their usual habitat.Move a crab that is limp to an isolation tank.The crab may be dying.
Step 11: You should clean your crabitat.
Problems with the water or its habitat can cause illnesses for crabs.The water needs to be changed frequently to heal and maintain your crab's health.As you watch the water evaporate, add new water to the tank.If you notice an ammonia smell or murky water, change the water.Dechlorinated and brackish water can be used.Don't use table salt to make water.New toys and sand should be placed in the habitat.You can wash toys with soap and water.
Step 12: You can kill mites with a bath.
There are a couple of different ways to kill bad mites on a hermit crab.If you want to introduce a mite species that will eat the bad mites from your pet, you can bathe your crab.If you choose to use this method, make sure to take a bath with care.Drop him into a container you are using as a bath and use dechlorinated water.There is a chance that your crab will go into the water alone.After about a minute, remove the crab from the water.Allow your crab to dry out in a box or a paper towel after draining any excess water from the shell.Once it is dry, put the crab back in its usual place.Hypoaspis will be introduced into a habitat with bad mites.The Hypoaspis miles will not bother your crabs.The number of Hypoaspis miles will decrease as bad mites disappear.
Step 13: The crab should be taken to the vet.
If you don't feel comfortable with other treatments, consider taking your crab to the vet.There is little a vet can do for a sick or dying crab and nature may need to take its course.Call your vet's office to make sure they see the crabs.Consider the health of your crab.If it is dying, moving it to the vet can cause unnecessary stress.