They're just not eating :(

Questions about food and water.
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Bonnie.Maree
Zygote
Zygote
Posts: 70
Joined: 27 Aug 2012, 10:01
Gender: Female
Hermit crabs: 2
Total gallons: 55
Total tanks: 3
Location: Western Sydney

They're just not eating :(

Post by Bonnie.Maree »

So I purchased two hermit crabs 6 days ago and I am sure they're not eating. Ive video recorded them every day and one night and the other nights the food looks completely untouched. They however are very active as I see them moving around the tank (between the cold end and hot end hiding places and sometimes to climb) and don't look like they're near molting either.

...So whats going on? So far Ive had strawberries, cauliflower, apples and egg shells in there and also every second day changed their dry food (I bought stuff from ebay).I dont understand why theyre not eating, wouldnt they be hungry by now?I dont want them to die :(


What is the volume of your main tank?
40 Gallons.

How many hermit crabs do you currently have? How big are they?
Two crabs, Chester (small) and Charlie (Small to medium).

How long have you had the hermit crab(s) that you are concerned about?
So far today is day three.

What substrate or combination of substrates are you using? How deep is it?
Shell grit, not sure how high. I have recently learnt this is bad substrate and In the process of changing this.

What do you feed your hermit crabs?
Ordered off of the Aussie ebay place for some organic stuff, supplying fresh fruit and vege

Do you use distilled, bottled, tap or other types of water?
Distilled.

If you are using a dechlorinator, what brand is it? Does it state to remove all heavy metals, chlorine and chloramines?
N/A

What brand of sea salt are you using to supply your hermit crabs with salt water?
Stuff off aussie ebay user

What heat source are you using and where is it positioned?
A light bulb and heat mat, positioned on the right side of tank.

Have you calibrated your thermometer(s) and hygrometer so that you can interpret accurate readings?
Need to buy a hygrometer, Need to buy a more accurate thermometer.

What is the air temperature range and humidity inside the tank?
Warm side is at 26C during the day but drops to 21C at night (How do I maintain heat? is it bad if it changes?)

What is the highest temperature that the substrate near the heat source reaches?
28C
MY HERMIT CRABS: Chester the sneaky and Indigo the digger
REST IN PEACE Willow the tunnel maker and Charlie the climber
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Wai
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Posts: 2907
Joined: 01 Nov 2004, 14:12
Gender: Male
Hermit crabs: 6
Total gallons: 45
Total tanks: 1
Location: Victoria, Australia
Contact:

Re: They're just not eating :(

Post by Wai »

They don't eat enough for you to notice. Don't worry.
Wai
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Bonnie.Maree
Zygote
Zygote
Posts: 70
Joined: 27 Aug 2012, 10:01
Gender: Female
Hermit crabs: 2
Total gallons: 55
Total tanks: 3
Location: Western Sydney

Re: They're just not eating :(

Post by Bonnie.Maree »

But the videos show them not goig nearthe food dish :( even the honey I added isnt getting their attention
MY HERMIT CRABS: Chester the sneaky and Indigo the digger
REST IN PEACE Willow the tunnel maker and Charlie the climber
User avatar
Wai
Administrator
Administrator
Posts: 2907
Joined: 01 Nov 2004, 14:12
Gender: Male
Hermit crabs: 6
Total gallons: 45
Total tanks: 1
Location: Victoria, Australia
Contact:

Re: They're just not eating :(

Post by Wai »

Just keep rotating different food in there. It's not possible to force feed them. However, if they are still healthy, they won't starve themselves. Hermit crabs can go for a long time without food. My largest hermit crab, Eris, was down for over a month, but he didn't moult. I'm not sure if he took something to eat down with him.
Wai
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Bonnie.Maree
Zygote
Zygote
Posts: 70
Joined: 27 Aug 2012, 10:01
Gender: Female
Hermit crabs: 2
Total gallons: 55
Total tanks: 3
Location: Western Sydney

Re: They're just not eating :(

Post by Bonnie.Maree »

i hope you are right :( they move a lot so that sort of indicates theyre healthy?
MY HERMIT CRABS: Chester the sneaky and Indigo the digger
REST IN PEACE Willow the tunnel maker and Charlie the climber
User avatar
Wai
Administrator
Administrator
Posts: 2907
Joined: 01 Nov 2004, 14:12
Gender: Male
Hermit crabs: 6
Total gallons: 45
Total tanks: 1
Location: Victoria, Australia
Contact:

Re: They're just not eating :(

Post by Wai »

Yeah. Just keep changing the food daily and they'll eventually find something they like. :)
Wai
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Snippy
Zygote
Zygote
Posts: 13
Joined: 26 Aug 2012, 21:21
Gender: Female
Hermit crabs: 2
Total gallons: 10
Total tanks: 1

Re: They're just not eating :(

Post by Snippy »

My hermis seem to love the food bowl when there is corn there!
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ladybug15057
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Posts: 3098
Joined: 03 Mar 2008, 04:12
Gender: Female
Hermit crabs: 82
Total gallons: 305
Total tanks: 7
Location: Southwestern Pa., U.S.

Re: They're just not eating :(

Post by ladybug15057 »

I see they liked the steak? :)

viewtopic.php?t=4714

Try some smelly foods instead of dry ones. Like tuna, shrimp (at least steamed) Fresh foods seem to give more of an odor compared to the dry ones.
Marie (aka ladybug15057)

If you are contacted privately (via pm or e-mail) and enticed to join another forum, please contact a Crab Crew member. This is an unethical practice.
Bonnie.Maree
Zygote
Zygote
Posts: 70
Joined: 27 Aug 2012, 10:01
Gender: Female
Hermit crabs: 2
Total gallons: 55
Total tanks: 3
Location: Western Sydney

Re: They're just not eating :(

Post by Bonnie.Maree »

I cant believe I Haven't put corn in yet! Thats next :D

...And tuna too (: That will be hard for me to find >.<
MY HERMIT CRABS: Chester the sneaky and Indigo the digger
REST IN PEACE Willow the tunnel maker and Charlie the climber
User avatar
ladybug15057
Coenobita
Coenobita
Posts: 3098
Joined: 03 Mar 2008, 04:12
Gender: Female
Hermit crabs: 82
Total gallons: 305
Total tanks: 7
Location: Southwestern Pa., U.S.

Re: They're just not eating :(

Post by ladybug15057 »

Just put a little in a larger dish of its own. By morning, take it out.
Marie (aka ladybug15057)

If you are contacted privately (via pm or e-mail) and enticed to join another forum, please contact a Crab Crew member. This is an unethical practice.
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