Better Place: RIP

     I noticed Louis was sitting kind of funny in the tank last night but left him alone as I didn't want to stress him out more. Early this morning at about two o'clock I saw he had dropped another leg and was still in the same spot. After having a tiny fight with myself about checking on him I decided that it would only stress him out more to do so and leave him be after making sure the temperature and humidity were perfect inside the crabitat. At around four he was still in the laying in the middle of the tank and so I opened it to check on him. To my horror he was dead. At first I thought, "Oh no, he's surface molting!" But after I moved him around to place him in the ISO tank he fell completely out of his shell and didn't move - and I mean completely.

     I'm scared to believe I did something so wrong that he died within the two days I had him. I remember last night when placing the food inside the tank (that no one ate) all the shells I had put onto the burlap net had fallen off; could they have hit him and I didn't know? 

     I also wondered if he was sick from the get go; malls aren't the best place to buy any living creature. Could it have been the painted shell; it was chipping pretty bad... That's the problem I have no idea what caused this. Ugh, my poor baby :{ 

     I hope Louis' in a better place now. 

    

This was the only picture I got of him within the two days. Rest In Peace Louis.

Link to my first post with Louis*

Until Next time,
Pearl Popping~

Dropping Legs

     I woke this morning to one of Louis' little legs laying in the sand. After my mini heart attack and checking the others to make sure they hadn't fought I searched up "Strawberry Crab dropping legs" on Google.com. There I came across a Q&A site where it stated that all crabs can do this and do when either stressed from transport or the levels in the crabitat aren't ideal. 

     Because I had put Strawberry crabs in the search I also came across a different site stating that they like very high humidity and a stable eighty degrees in their tank while their cousins(PP Crabs) can take lower levels. I have moved their location in my bedroom and have saran wrapped their whole lid, placing the heat lamp on top. Also, saltwater is very important for strawberry crabs. I added another water dish too containing saltwater that is deep enough that all the crabs can submerge themselves if they like and with the light lever of stones they will be able to remove themselves safely.  Now with three water dishes the humidity is staying at a great, I think the saran wrap is helping nicely as well. Hopefully little Louis will relax before the day is done and enjoy the high temperature and humidity of his new home.

     

Poor Louis :(

     P.S. Louis has yet to change his shell and as far as I know Prada and Chloe have yet to see him face to face. Chloe remains underneath the driftwood however when I peek under it she is awake and alert. Prada is having a blast inside her hut, moving the play sand around how she likes it. 

     I have bought a little tree for them to climb on and added it to tank after removing the soap dish. I remembered the tank at the mall where I bought Louis had one so hopefully it helps him settle. I will take a picture of the new crabitat set up sometime soon. 

     I also picked up shrimp from the pet store, its for turtles and comes in a little can. I hope they like it :) I haven't placed it into their food bowl yet but I will tonight. 

Until next time,

Pearl Popping~

Oh my lucky day!

     Wow, I can't believe it. Me, the most unluckiest person I know, has gotten a beautiful Strawberry crab for free! Let my tell you the whole story:

     I went to the mall, yes again, to buy a monster high doll (that they didn't have :'( ) and other things when I walked pass the "Crab Shack". I was talking with the girl working there for a bit; asking about prices and what came with it (just the shell on its back). After having a long fight with myself I gave in and picked out one that seems to be about the same size as Chloe and Prada, if not a little bigger. Well, after swiping my debit card twice with no luck, her register "being from the 1980's" and me standing there for about twenty minutes she gave up and said I could take it for free. I was willing to go to the bank and come back with cash but I was told not to worry about it. I have been so happy since! A crab that would have cost me $16.38, or higher depending where you look, for free ^--^  

     Once I got home I added food and water to the ISO tank and placed the little guy in there for the time being. He quickly went to the water dish and drank from it for a while before calmly taking a peek around and curling into his shell for a nap. 

     I didn't want to rush things but my house is actually cooler than the last few days and I wanted to get him in the main tank where its warmer so I gave him a bath, to which he seemed to enjoy as he just sat in the water, and put him inside the ten gallon. Prada has smelled his shell (that is painted sadly) but they haven't met face to face yet. Chloe is still buried underneath the driftwood and hasn't come out but after another quick peek she seems to be alright. I wonder if she is staying under there for something other then molting now... hmmm. 

   

There he is XD He's so cute~!

Until  next time,

Pearl Popping~

P.S. 
     I'm still against painted shells but I really wanted a Strawberry crab and now all I can hope for is for him to change his shell soon so I can remove it. His shell is actually already chipping too and the longer it stays in the tank the more of a risk there is for all the hermit crabs to eat it.
     Also, I don't have a name for him yet but I'm thinking. Hopefully in the next post he'll have one. 

Until next time, 
Pearl Popping~

Painted Shells

     Here I was, shoe shopping at my local mall and spotted hermit crabs. Their everywhere I go now lol. I thought they might be Strawberry crabs ( and yes I do want one >.<) but sadly they had painted shells not to mention with Prada still missing a limb I don't want to introduce new crabs at this time.
     There was a large sign that stated the paint used was non-toxic and all that but I still don't like them. What's wrong with keeping things natural? It's bad enough these little guys were taken from their home now people are forcing them into shells that have Hello kitty and Batman painted on it. I've seen the video, okay. I'll never buy a crab with a painted shell unless they look like they really need help.
     On a different note, I still haven't taken the pictures yet of my own babies but I will soon and I'm getting ready to switch the sand out now as I write. I did get a picture of Chloe last night though~

Chloe

 It's still blurry but it was the best one at one o'clock in the morning :)

Until next time,
Pearl popping~