How to Tell If a Hermit Crab Is Sick

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

Hermit crabs are animals that often live long lives in large colonies. They are sometimes considered “starter” pets by people. [1] In general, Hermit crabs are usually pretty easy to keep happy and 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.

Part 1
Part 1 of 2:

Watching for Symptoms of Illness

PDF download Download Article
  1. 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.
  2. 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 it can breathe properly. Signs of dry skin in hermit crabs can include:
    • Lack of water in the tank or on a sponge
    • Matte appearance to the skin
    • Excessive burrowing to get at moist spots in the tank
    Advertisement
  3. 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. [2] Lethargy can also be a sign of stress. [3]
    • Recognize that most hermit crabs like to play and will move around their habitats a lot if they are not molting or sick.
    • Make sure your hermit crab is moving regularly and not hanging out of its shell, which can be a signal that it is dying.
    • Remember that lack of movement can also signal molting. [4]
  4. Foul odor coming from the tank can signal illnesses related to problems with the habitat. Check on your crabs every day, which can quickly signal you to any bad smells that might be coming from the animals or parts of the tank.
    • Be aware that there may be a broad range of odors that can signal problems. These include: stinky feet, fish or shrimp, mildew or must, rotting food.
  5. Mites are arguably the most common cause of health issues for hermit crabs and you should be especially vigilant in checking for these. 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. Watch out for the following types of harmful mites:
    • Gill mites, which are light pink or red and bury into the gills of hermit crabs. These mites are often not visible until after a hermit crab’s death because a flap of skin protects the gills of live animals.
    • 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.
  6. In addition to the physical symptoms of illness, hermit crabs may also exhibit unusual behaviors. [5] 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. [6] Some behavioral problems to watch out for are:
    • Digging down into the habitat sand or coconut fiber to “de-stress”
    • Consuming large amounts of food or water
    • Soaking in the water dish
    • Being very lethargic. [7]
    • Hiding in its shell for long periods, especially if it usually enjoys attention. [8]
    • Molting in the open. [9]
    • Hanging out of its shell in a limp or lifeless manner. [10]
  7. Sickness is rare among hermit and other types of crabs. 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. Some additional signs that your hermit crab may be molting and not sick, especially if the crab exhibits several of these symptoms, are:
    • Digging
    • Drinking large amounts of water or soaking in the dish
    • Spilling water from the dish to dampen the sand or coconut fiber in the tank
    • Cloudy eyes
    • Ashy-looking skin, which is also called the exoskeleton
    • Lethargy. [11]
    8. Advertisement
Part 2
Part 2 of 2:

Caring for Your Ill Crab

PDF download Download Article
  1. Crabs must molt their skin to grow and this process can take weeks or months. [12] 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. [13]
    • Be aware that healthy crabs will molt “in private” by burrowing or hiding in a dark spot of the tank. [14] 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. [15]
  2. 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. [16]
    • Stay away from blowing on or poking your crab, which can also stress your pet. [17]
    • Be aware that there is varying information on touching crabs, but that not handling them with care can result in bites. [18]
  3. If you suspect one of your crabs is sick, especially with mites, you’ll need to separate it from its crab friends. Prepare a large bucket or other container in which to isolate and treat your hermit crab.
    • Make sure that the isolation tank is similar to your crab’s normal habitat. Add some dechlorinated water, sand or coconut fiber, toys, and food in the crabitat .
    • Observe your sick crab to make sure it is healing. Once it appears healthy again, move it back to the regular tank.
    • Avoid isolating molting crabs as this can kill them. Remember to leave them alone in their usual habitat. [19]
    • 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. [20]
  4. . 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.
    • Add new water to the tank as you see it evaporating.
    • Change the water if you notice an ammonia smell or murky water. Remember to use dechlorinated and brackish water. Never use table salt to make brackish water.
    • Place new sand and toys in the habitat. You can also clean toys with a mild soap and water and rinse it thoroughly.
  5. 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. You can either bathe your hermit crab or introduce a mite species that will eat the bad mites from your pet.
    • 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. [21] Don’t leave your crab unattended and remove it from the water after about a minute. [22] Drain any excess water from the shell and allow your crab to dry out in a box or on a paper towel. [23] Put the crab back in its usual habitat once it is dry. [24]
    • 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.
  6. 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. [25]
    • Call your vet’s office to make sure they will see hermit crabs.
    • Consider your crab’s health. If it really is dying, moving it to go to the vet can cause it unnecessary stress. [26]
    7. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Tips

      • If your crabs are becoming lethargic, add some new toys to their crabitat! Cleaned tree branches and textured wood are awesome, as are coconut shavings. Nets with suction cups are also really great for exercise!
        Thanks
        Helpful 6 Not Helpful 0
      • If you see any discoloration or fungus in the tank, clean it immediately.
        Thanks
        Helpful 5 Not Helpful 0
      • Remember some crabs are just naturally shy, and may hide or be more inactive then normal crabs. This does not mean it is sick.
        Thanks
        Helpful 7 Not Helpful 3

      Tips from our Readers

      The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
      • Having only one hermit crab may cause it to be lonely, since hermit crabs are social creatures. But be cautious when introducing a new crab and keep an eye out for fighting.
      • Remember to never use tap water for your crab's water supply. The chlorine in tap water is harmful to hermit crabs, so it's best to use bottled or distilled water.
      • Get your hermit crab a hideout so that they feel more safe. Small plastic or coconut huts work great, as do half logs because hermit crabs love to climb.
      • Don't let your hermit crabs go near other crabs when sick, but hermit crabs can't transmit diseases to humans so you have nothing to worry about.
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      Warnings

      • Never use tap water when bathing or giving your crabs water. You could make them feel even worse.
        Thanks
        Helpful 40 Not Helpful 5
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Know when Your Hermit Crab Is Dead
      How to
      Set Up a Tank for Your Red Clawed Crab
      Hermit Crab Care: Everything You Need to Keep Hermies Happy and Healthy
      How to
      Breed Hermit Crabs
      How to
      Look After Pet Crabs
      How to
      Play With Your Hermit Crab
      How to
      Care for Molting Hermit Crabs
      How to
      Store Blue Crabs to Keep Them Alive
      How to
      Maintain Humidity in a Pet Hermit Crab Habitat
      How to
      Care for Ghost Crabs
      How to
      Care for a Marine Hermit Crab
      How to
      Eliminate Mites from a Pet Hermit Crab Tank
      How to
      Feed Hermit Crabs
      How to
      Give Your Hermit Crab a Bath
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.peta.org/living/companion-animals/7-reasons-never-buy-hermit-crab/
      2. ↑ https://www.peta.org/living/companion-animals/7-reasons-never-buy-hermit-crab/
      3. ↑ https://www.hermitcrabassociation.com/pages/moltingordying.html
      4. ↑ https://www.hermitcrabassociation.com/pages/moltingordying.html
      5. ↑ https://www.hermitcrabassociation.com/pages/moltingordying.html
      6. ↑ https://www.hermit-crabs.com/aggression.html
      7. ↑ https://www.hermitcrabassociation.com/pages/moltingordying.html
      8. ↑ https://www.hermit-crabs.com/aggression.html
      9. ↑ https://www.hermit-crabs.com/molting.html
      1. ↑ https://www.hermitcrabassociation.com/pages/moltingordying.html
      2. ↑ https://www.hermitcrabassociation.com/pages/moltingordying.html
      3. ↑ https://www.hermitcrabassociation.com/pages/moltingordying.html
      4. ↑ https://www.hermitcrabassociation.com/pages/moltingordying.html
      5. ↑ https://www.hermit-crabs.com/molting.html
      6. ↑ https://www.hermitcrabassociation.com/pages/moltingordying.html
      7. ↑ https://www.hermitcrabassociation.com/pages/moltingordying.html
      8. ↑ https://www.hermitcrabassociation.com/pages/moltingordying.html
      9. ↑ https://www.hermit-crabs.com/care.html
      10. ↑ https://www.hermitcrabassociation.com/pages/moltingordying.html
      11. ↑ https://www.hermitcrabassociation.com/pages/moltingordying.html
      12. ↑ https://www.hermit-crabs.com/care.html
      13. ↑ https://www.hermit-crabs.com/care.html
      14. ↑ https://www.hermit-crabs.com/care.html
      15. ↑ https://www.hermit-crabs.com/care.html
      16. ↑ https://www.hermitcrabassociation.com/pages/moltingordying.html
      17. ↑ https://www.hermitcrabassociation.com/pages/moltingordying.html

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To tell if a hermit crab is sick, pay attention to its activity level, since lethargy can be a sign that it's ill or stressed. Additionally, monitor your crab for behaviors such as molting in the open or soaking in the water dish, which can also mean it’s sick. Then, smell your crab’s tank to check for odors of rotting food, mildew, or fish, because a bad smell can signal a problem with its habitat that could be making it sick. You can also check your hermit crab for mites, which look like tiny white, grey, or pink dots around the crab’s eyes and mouth. For advice from our Veterinary co-author on how to take care of your hermit crab when it’s sick, read on!

      Did this summary help you?
      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 234,330 times.

      Reader Success Stories

      • Ashley Odom

        Jun 6, 2016

        "I didn't know mites could attack crabs, and the methods of bathing it and giving it good mites are good. I ..." more
      More reader stories Hide reader stories
      Share your story

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement