HELP! Are my crabs okay?

Questions about food and water.
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googie212
Zygote
Zygote
Posts: 1
Joined: 23 Sep 2015, 09:23
Gender: Female
Hermit crabs: 1
Total gallons: 10
Total tanks: 1

HELP! Are my crabs okay?

Post by googie212 »

Okay, so yesterday we purchased a 10 gallon tank and I got a baby hermit crab and my two siblings each got a crab. Well, today I decided to gently wash off the sand on them, and I TOTALLY forgot that tap water has chlorine in it and it's bad for hermies, and I thoroughly washed each baby crab's body and shell under the sink. Will they be okay???????????
Ginger
Zoea II
Zoea II
Posts: 212
Joined: 22 Nov 2014, 12:19
Gender: Female
Hermit crabs: 11
Total gallons: 60
Total tanks: 3

Re: HELP! Are my crabs okay?

Post by Ginger »

Hi Googie, if you could tell us the information that you know about hermit crabs and the full list of supplies that you have it would help us to further give you advice. To answer you direct question, yes, this is quite bad for them as it is suspected to harm their 'gills'. Do you have a dechlorinator? It usually comes in a dropper bottle, used to treat water to rid it of chlorine, chloramines, heavy metals etc. These can be found at any decent pet store, labelled for aquarium use. If you do not, distilled or spring bottled water is fine also. You need to rinse them in either of these solutions as soon as possible.
GitaBooks
Zygote
Zygote
Posts: 4
Joined: 12 Sep 2015, 12:55
Gender: Female
Location: Somewhere in the USA if I remember correctly : )

Re: HELP! Are my crabs okay?

Post by GitaBooks »

I really hope they are okay. With just one wash of the water, they should be okay though.

Congrats on getting the crabs through!
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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: HELP! Are my crabs okay?

Post by ladybug15057 »

Hermies regardless of species should have both ocean salt and fresh water at their disposal 24/7.
Marie (aka ladybug15057)

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aussieJJDude
Zoea V
Zoea V
Posts: 432
Joined: 02 Mar 2012, 19:30
Gender: Male
Hermit crabs: 8
Total gallons: 65
Total tanks: 2
Location: Melbourne, Australia
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Re: HELP! Are my crabs okay?

Post by aussieJJDude »

I think it should be ok. If it was constant and multiple exposures I'd say that they may of suffered some damages but honestly they should be fine. :) At most, a quick wash in dechlorinated water to flush out the "nasty chemicals" might be needed, but they should be fine.
246L/65G - 'Tidal Jungle' (Crabs) | 246L/65g - 'Backwater Pool' (Fish/Snails) | 96L/25G - ''Twisted Minds" (Fish/Snails/Shrimp) | 300L/90G Fancy Pond (Goldfish)

I've never had any problems with 'Impulse Buying'. They're just animals that I forgot I had planned to get.
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