Difference between revisions of "Tell If a Hermit Crab Is Sick"

Hermit crabs are animals that often live long lives in large colonies. They are sometimes considered “starter” pets by people.<ref name="rf1">http://www.peta.org/living/companion-animals/7-reasons-never-buy-hermit-crab/ </ref> In general, [[Care for Hermit Crabs|Hermit crabs]] are usually pretty easy to keep happy and [[Be Healthy|healthy.]] But under certain circumstances, even hermit crabs can get sick. By watching for symptoms of illness, you can tell if your hermit crab is sick and get her proper and timely treatment.

#Look for physical signs of illness. Although illness is relatively uncommon, crabs can get sick. This is usually related to problems with their habitat, or “crabitat,” but may be a result of other issues such as mites.<ref name="rf2">http://hermitcrabassociation.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?p=852627#p852627</ref>

#Examine for dry skin. Hermit crabs need access to water to keep their skin moist and healthy. Examining your crab for signs of dry skin can keep your crab from drying out and ensure she it can breathe properly.<ref name="rf3">http://www.peta2.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/hermit-crab-care-sheet.jpg</ref> Signs of dry skin in hermit crabs can include:

#Notice lack of movement. The environment in the tank is vital to a hermit crab’s health and promotes its movement, too. If your hermit crab isn’t moving around much, the water in its habitat or even toxic paint on its shell could be killing it.<ref name="rf4">http://www.peta.org/living/companion-animals/7-reasons-never-buy-hermit-crab/</ref> Lethargy can also be a sign of stress.<ref name="rf5">http://www.hermitcrabassociation.com/pages/moltingordying.html</ref>

#*Remember that lack of movement can also signal molting.<ref name="rf6"> http://www.hermitcrabassociation.com/pages/moltingordying.html</ref>

#Check for mites. Mites are arguably the most common cause of health issues for hermit crabs and you should be especially vigilant in checking for these.<ref name="rf2" /> Be aware that there are “good” and harmless mites that inhabit crab’s spaces and bodies but that there are also “bad” and harmful mites.<ref name="rf2" /> Watch out for the following types of harmful mites:

#*Crab mites, which glue themselves to soft parts of hermit crabs’ bodies including the eyes, mouth, or joints. Crab mites range in color from white to cream, grey, pink, or red.<ref name="rf2" />

#Observe behavior. In addition to the physical symptoms of illness, hermit crabs may also exhibit unusual behaviors.<ref name="rf5" /> Checking on your crabs daily will help you see each animals typical behavior—hermit crabs do have distinct personalities-- and can alert you to potential problems.<ref name="rf7">http://www.hermit-crabs.com/aggression.html</ref> Some behavioral problems to watch out for are:

#*Being very lethargic.<ref name="rf5" />

#*Hiding in its shell for long periods, especially if it usually enjoys attention.<ref name="rf7" />

#*Molting in the open.<ref name="rf8">http://www.hermit-crabs.com/molting.html</ref>

#*Hanging out of its shell in a limp or lifeless manner.<ref name="rf5" />

#Avoid confusion with molting. Sickness is rare among hermit and other types of crabs.<ref name="rf9">http://www.2ndchance.info/fiddler.htm</ref> However, there can be some confusion when trying to tell if your hermit crab is sick because many of the symptoms of illness parallel the signs of molting such as missing limbs and burrowing for days or months.<ref name="rf10">http://hermitcrabassociation.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?f=51&t=92457</ref> Some additional signs that your hermit crab may be molting and not sick, especially if the crab exhibits several of these symptoms, are:

#*Lethargy.<ref name="rf5" />

#Leave molting crabs alone. Crabs must molt their skin to grow and this process can take weeks or months.<ref name="rf5" /> If you realize your hermit crab is molting, leave it alone because she may be very fragile and any type of contact can cause her undue stress.<ref name="rf5" />

#*Be aware that healthy crabs will molt “in private” by burrowing or hiding in a dark spot of the tank.<ref name="rf8" /> The crab may not eat during molting, either.

#*Leave the molting or molted skin on the crab. She will eat the skin for calcium once she’s done molting.<ref name="rf5" />

#Avoid handling your crab if possible. In most cases, you should avoid touching your hermit crab in any way. This can cause them undue stress and may kill it, especially if the crab is molting.<ref name="rf5" />

#*Stay away from blowing on or poking your crab, which can also stress your pet.<ref name="rf5" />

#*Be aware that there is varying information on touching crabs, but that not handling them with care can result in bites.<ref name="rf11">http://www.hermit-crabs.com/care.html</ref>

#*Avoid isolating molting crabs as this can kill them. Remember to leave them alone in their usual habitat.<ref name="rf5" />

#*Move a crab that is hanging out of its shell limply to an isolation tank. This is a sign that the crab may be dying.<ref name="rf5" />  

#[[Clean a Hermit Crab Tank|Clean your crabitat]]. Many illnesses that crabs develop are a result of problems with the water or its habitat. Changing the water regularly key to healing and maintaining your hermit crab’s health.<ref name="rf10" />

#*Change the water if you notice an ammonia smell or murky water. Remember to use dechlorinated and brackish water.<ref name="rf10" /> Never use table salt to make brackish water.

#Kill mites with a bath or other mites. Although there are differing viewpoints on the treatment of bad mites on your hermit crab, there are a couple of different ways to kill them.<ref name="rf10" /> You can either bathe your hermit crab or introduce a mite species that will eat the bad mites from your pet.<ref name="rf10" />

#*[[Give Your Hermit Crab a Bath|bath]] with care if you choose to use this method. Use dechlorinated, tepid water and lower him into a container you’re using as a bath. Your crab may go into the water alone, too.<ref name="rf11" /> Don’t leave your crab unattended and remove it from the water after about a minute.<ref name="rf11" /> Drain any excess water from the shell and allow your crab to dry out in a box or on a paper towel.<ref name="rf11" /> Put the crab back in its usual habitat once it is dry.<ref name="rf11" />

#*Introduce the predatory mite Hypoaspis miles into a habitat infested with bad mites. The Hypoaspis miles will eat all of the other mites, larvae, and eggs without bothering your crabs. As the number of bad mites disappears, so will the number of Hypoaspis miles.<ref name="rf2" />

#Take the crab to the vet. Consider taking your hermit crab to the vet if no other treatments are working or you don’t feel comfortable. However, you should be aware that there is little a vet can do for a very sick or dying hermit crab and nature may need to simply take its course.<ref name="rf5" />

#*Consider your crab’s health. If it really is dying, moving it to go to the vet can cause it unnecessary stress.<ref name="rf5" />