My Tale of Woe

[WizKidsMom]

Originally Posted by Hildegarde

unfortunately, it's very rare that you can find out while a crab dies.

I think you mean why a crab dies. You think the fingers would hit the right keys.

[Hildegarde]

Originally Posted by WizKidsMom

I think you mean why a crab dies. You think the fingers would hit the right keys.

Thanks. I'm a terrible typist and I usually hit the key next to the one I mean to hit. I do try to proofread but it doesn't mean I still won't have any typos..

[crabbbychris]

ok..
First of all I want to say thanks for you all pitching in with answers and advice...
As of right now deep cleaning is in process.
My tank will fit in my dishwasher,.. so I washed it in there. If a mite can survise that hot water bath.. good for them.
I also took out all the contents and run THEM threw the dishwasher...
I didn't see any mites in the tank,.. but who knows they may be there.
I hadn't washed my hermies yet... wanna get everything all set up and ready to go back in the tank before I do that... then I'll wash them and put them back in their "home" where they are used to being...
I DID have a couple pieces of wood in the tank for them to dig under, and to use as a way to travel up to the second level... I'm gonna pitch those after the talk of mites in wood.
I'll get me one of those 'netting deals' and they can climb up to the second level that way. Seems they like it up there best of all..??

Also on going I just started checking my humidity gauge. We'll know in a while if it is accurate.
I'm letting my tank cool back down to room temps, and then have all new substrate set to go in the tank. Everything else should be all clean.. All I'll have to do is wash the hermies.
Like I said,.. to this point (without looking at the crabs) I didn't see any mites yet,.. but I figure better safe than sorry.
I'll try to keep you informed... (if I forget I guess "no news is good news"... LOL)

[DaisyCrab]

I found my Ruby half out of her shell and dead, she was one of my first crabs, and I also had zero experience with her.

She had taken a nap on some stones that I had in the tank for them to play on. Since I was all new to hermit crabs, I didn't realize that putting the rocks over the heater would make them hotter than they should be even on the sand (which at the time wasn't deep enough), and I think during her nap she "over heated" and by the time she jumped out of her shell it was too late. I felt HORRIBLE. Still do and that was nearly 2 yrs ago.

So ANYWAY, after rambling, it may have been a temperature issue with your crab after all. The naked steaking might have been because your crab was too hot also.

[crabbbychris]

thanks for the reply...
I checked my gauges yesterday... both seem to be right on the money.
Temp seems to always stay between 77 and 83.
Humidity also varies about the same amount.

Like someone said,.. many times we never figure out what caused it.
I did the 'deep cleaning' yesterday.. never saw mite #1... but it didn't hurt.
I changed my tank around somewhat,.. and the hermies were sure active last night.. lol