naked crab

[cindyz]

A week ago, my smallest crab started going naked. This crab was given to us by a friend who was concerned that it might be dying due to over play by her daughter, 4. He adjusted well and has been in the tank for almost three months. I had no idea that it was a big deal for him to be out of his shell, and let it run about for a couple of days. he would go back in a shell every now and then (he has 4 empties to choose from), but would always go back to being naked. I have given him a bath and put him in a glass with his boiled shell, and then again with others only to have him leave the shell hours later. Originally he was pale, but his color looks good now. One of my larger crabs is molting and is not bothering him. The other is active at night, but I'm not sure that it is interested with the little guy. I have made little areas for the nudest crab to hide and feel safe.
He has a sand substrate with some coconut shavings. His diet is commercial. They live in our living room which stays between 76-80 degrees.
What do I need to do for this little guy?
How long have you had the crab(s) in question?

Do you know what species they are?
no, but they have purple pinchers
Did you/Do you isolate new crabs?
no
Tank Size:
10 gall
Lid Type:
?
Placement of tank in your home:
living room
Substrate Used (moist or dry & depth):
3 inches of moist sand
Type of Gauges: Strip/Analog/Digital
none
Did you test your humidity gauge for accuracy?
don't have one
Placement of Gauges:

Temperature and Humidity levels in your tank: Degrees %

Heating Source (if UTH how much of the tank does it cover and how much substrate is over it):

Lighting Source (type bulbs & wattage):
green. have no idea
Do you have at least one area for each crab to hide?
no
Is there any metal in your tank?
a yellow "climbing" wall
What types of climbing things/toys do you have in your tank?
pottery
What type of water do you use (dechlorinated tap/spring water)?
the softened water from our well
If you use dechlorinating drops-which kind?

Do your provide fresh and salt water? If yes, what type of salt mix do you use?

Do you provide dishes for water or just sponges?
i have one water dish with conditioning salt, and several sponges
How many extra shells do you have for each crab?
one for the large, 3 for the smaller
Did you boil the shells prior to putting them in the tank?
yes
Do you bathe your crabs? If yes, how often and what do you use to bathe them in?no

Do you only handle your crabs with clean hands?

How often do you handle them?don't

Have they been exposed to toxins such as chemical/cleaning fumes, perfume, spray deodorant, etc?doubtful

Do you allow your crabs to exercise outside the tank?no

What types of foods do you feed?commercial

What do you use as a calcium supplement? egg shells

[HERMEZ]

I just glazed over the format as it was getting confusing to me.........you need gauges so you can tell what the temp/humidity is. Odd that you have had him nakie this long- not a good sign--maybe the tank is too hot? They need hidy spots and take all metal out of the tank. Look at the list of essentials I am putting together in General questions section- its a sticky
You need to read a bit to learn more these are not "simple" pets unfortunately