Helped a Crabby

[krackersmom2]

I arrived in my son's preschool class Wed. and noticed that they had a hermit crab. The teacher was crab sitting for someone, but isn't sure if they are going to take it back.
When I saw the set-up, I almost freaked out. It is in a plastic aquarium maybe 2.5 gallons. There was barely an inch of substrate at best and mold was growing everywhere. The teacher had asked the family if all the white furry stuff was mold and they said it wasn't. Even the food dish was covered in it. The single water dish was mostly just a damp sponge. There was a hut, but the crabby's shell was preventing him from getting in. He was just kind of jammed into the doorway. There is a log of some sort in there.
I let his teacher know that I could help get the tat in tip top shape and bring her a care sheet. She was very receptive to my offer for help.
I made a bowl of homemade dry crab chow. Made some salt water and gave her a dish for it and some extra salt in a baggy. I also took a big container of playsand.
This morning I went in before my shift and got the crabby a good basic set-up. I tipped the edge of the hidey up on the log and he can get inside. He has enough substrate to bury, a bowl of healthy food, fresh and salt water. There was a temp. strip, but not a hygrometer. The tank has a plastic lid.
The old substrate emitted a sewer like odor when I stirred it up. Poor little crabby was living in squalid conditions. I told the teacher if it becomes orphaned, I would gladly give him a home. He is a small-medium size crab. Looks like what Petco would sell as a medium. There is an orange painted shell, which I assume he came in, but he is now in a green turbo, but has no other shell choices. Guess I'll take him a shell or two.
I felt sooo much better after stepping up to help. I couldn't stand to see the little guy suffer! His color is good and he seems active, so I have hope for him!

[Gizzysmom]

aww. i bet the little guy was very appriciative of your efforts. it drives me nuts when i see people get crabbies and then not take care of them. granted, sometimes its not their fault (like the teacher), but the owner should've known better. Makes me want to wake mine up and pet them.

[WizKidsMom]

Good job!

I wonder what the 'owners' thought that white stuff was.

[bluconspiracy]

That is great that you stepped in to help the little guy like that !

[HermitPaws]

yay a Semi- rescue!!! ummm some one tell me how you could not mistake white fluffy stuff for MOLD!!!!

[krackersmom2]

UPDATE: When I went in on Friday morning, he was sitting on top of his cork bark log like he was waiting for me to come through the door. Antennaes were out and he was active. I noticed some of the food scattered about and there was sand in the salt water dish, so obviously he had been there. On Friday afternoon when I picked my son up, he was at the food bowl eating some of the homemade crab chow I put together.

Crab Chow: raw sunflower seeds (unsalted), corn meal, unsulphured coconut, rolled oats, baby shrimp, spirulina powder, organic boost powder, dried egg powder, earthworm casings, and purple seaweed. The latter items came from VCKUMS store

[HermitPaws]

Awwwwwwww...... Lets hope his owner sees how much better he is now.

[HERMEZ]

Thats awesome Kracker- way to go~~~~

[Hildegarde]

Good for you. I'm sure its a great feeling that you helped the crab and the people taking care of it.

[dgh_1984]

That's awesome! NOT MOLD! I glad they let someone else watch over it and with you helping, it has a chance. Is she going to keep it or are you taking it?