Help Tipsy!!!!!!!!!!!

[HermitPaws]

ok i went to a ladys house who was givin away her crab and got this:

A small-med female crab ( who i named Tipsy)
missing 2 hind legs on BP side
Very friendly
MIssing part of little claw
Wearing a 2x to small of shell that also has a hole in it.
For pic go to my web site

So im asking:
#1. In the frist photo is that a Gel limb????
#2. Besides honey what else can i feed her to get her ready for a molt?

[WizKidsMom]

HermitPaws,

Went to your web site, but I am not sure which one is Tipsy. Which pic in Crab Crew is it?

[HermitPaws]

its under the "HELP TIPSY" link on the home page.

[HermitPaws]

Sorry didnt relize my new link wasn't working. it should show now.

[WizKidsMom]

Okay - working now.

Is that big pincher soft and 'gel' like? It looks like it is accommodating her missing legs.

Her 'new' legs should start to show as new growth and they look like gel. Does she have a red or purple sack on her underside? if so, then she will be molting soon.

Food - honey gives energy - almost like a sugar high in a little kid.
calcium - cuttle bone You can powder it and mix it in with any food.
Sunflower seeds - not the salted kind. crush them for her. - this gives the needed copper.
Egg yoke - scramble it or sardines (in water)- break it up in little pieces this provides zinc.
River shrimp is good as well. Seaweed has all kinds of good stuff in it as well. If you get some you have to chop/crush it so that she gets some with every bite. Spiruline is another good thing to have for her.

[HermitPaws]

Her big pincher is hard but look a little swollen to me??? Yes she uses it a a walking leg to get around.

ummm.... would it be safe to a smaller crab in with her??? or should i just put the tanks next to each other???( so she doesnt feel lonely)
thank for the food info!!!

[HermitPaws]

Originally Posted by WizKidsMom

Wait - what kind of conditions did she have with her previous owner?...

Well to tell the truth....

She was found in a shoe box outside a PETsmart....
someone just left her there and was found by the store manger before the store opened!!!

they had put her in the tank with the other crabs
when i picked her out, she was hudled near the back corner under a fake plant.

the tank didnt feel very humid. ( that Y i put her in the bath room so shed get huimdy every morning till she gets use to it)

As for heat felt like room temp to me...
the subrate was bark ( she is now on EE)
no salt water
and no food.
very little extra shells ( She now has 6 to choose from)
only i think changing shells might be a problem... She can't grip the shells...

hope this helps

[HermitPaws]

[quote=krackersmom2;27873]In the photo it looks like she is in the water. Is she voluntarily in the salt water dish? If so this could be a sign a molt is imminent.
....



no shes in a real shiny sink with declornate water
She was real dehydated when i got her....

[WizKidsMom]

I would think it is okay for others to be with her. Remember that hermies are very social and hate to be by themselves.

Give her a salt water bath if you haven't done so already.

Wait - what kind of conditions did she have with her previous owner? You might want to allow her to adjust to correct humidity and temp before putting her in your main tank.

[krackersmom2]

In the photo it looks like she is in the water. Is she voluntarily in the salt water dish? If so this could be a sign a molt is imminent.
A hole in the shell is not ideal....the shell is where they store up water and the shell helps keep their abdomen moist. I had a large crab that cracked a hole in his shell. He went down months ago and I haven't seen him since. My presumption is he didn't make it, but I also don't want to dig around and possible interrupt a molt either

Take the feeding advice and give your crab plenty of shell choices. Hopefully she will choose a new shell soon.