How to...

     I was looking up information on how to introduce a new hermit crab to an old one properly when I thought I should share this on my blog :3 I'm going to try it out, hope for the best. I think Chloe would love a buddy as she has been a little off lately (sorry about having no picture too). Within the last few days I've noticed she hasn't been moving as much as is her norm. I hope Chloe is fine and only lonely as this can be an easy problem to solve vs. something else (e.g. sick).
     The site I found the "how to" was actually on Yahoo!answers: Can I put a new hermit crab in w/ my old one? 

The best answer: 

Yes you can introduce new crabs into established colonies.

I just introduced 3 little ecuadorains in with my purple pincers both large and small and there was no world war three. I have a large tank so this may have a lot to do with it.

In the past there have been some little scuffles but being social animals this is expected.

The first thing I would do is isolate a new crab in your isolation tank. You don't want to introduce a sick crab in with your other pets. I kept my Es in isolation 3 weeks giving them lots of time to moult or change shells if they wanted to. And it gave them enough time to settle in to their new habitat.

In the isolation tank give the crab lots of shells to choose from and get rid of that nasty painted shell ( I'm so happy you know how bad they are). Give the animal salt and fresh water and lots of fresh foods. Peanut butter does wonders with new crabs. The big thing is you want to make sure the crab is eating and drinking before adding it to the main tank. Give the new animal ample space to hide so it feels safe.

When you feel the animal is healthy enough to move in with the new tank mate give both crabs a nice bath. I rarely bath crabs but this is one of the few occasions I will.

Then introduce the new animal to his tank mate. Do it on a day you can spend lots of time with them. Let them get to know each other. If they get up on back legs and start showing off with their claws that's fine. If one crawls on top of the other and pushes the other crabs shell aside that's fine too. What you want to look out for is digging claws into the shells and trying to get the crab out.

If the crabs want to scuffle just let them. It's easier to let them establish dominance and get it over with then trying to break it up every time they raise a claw. If you constantly break it up they'll keep fighting, but if you let them get it out of their system you won't have further problems.

     I'm going to give it a shot and record their meeting when I actually buy her new friend, hopefully soon. wish us the best of luck :]

Until next time:

Pearl popping~

Random thoughts :3

     Woke up to a cloudy sky this morning but Chloe seems to like it. More active than when I usually see her walking about in the daytime, she is just moving all over the tank which is a good thing because she was rather still last night. Choosing to stay on top of the bridge for hours and making me nervously check the levels every ten minutes to see if something was wrong. I did give the fresh food a break, only giving her two different hermit crab pellets I bought from the pet store so maybe that was it. With the mold scare, though, I'm trying to fight any new growth and the reasons that it appeared to begin with.

     I will be adding some apple pieces and either organic peanut butter or a small piece of tuna to her bowl later so she will have fresh food tonight. I think that leaving the food in for the suggested 24 hours is what lead to my crabitat growing mold so from now on I will only leave it for the night and replace it in the morning. Also, I will be doing more frequent cleans. The sand needs to move around more to prevent growth and possibly add dry calcium sand as well to remain excessive wetness while adding something good for her health. I'm actually debating on putting half and half substrate so it's more like it would be in the wild for her. Placing the saltwater on the side with the sand and the fresh food/water with the soil/coconut bedding. I may wait until fall comes around as I am worried that it may make the mold grow faster.  

     Anyway, back to what I wanted to talk about: After I went to bed, she must have moved around a bit; the fake plant I had added after her climbing episode last time (Read it here: Over protective mom?) fell throughout the night. I put it back up, adding a few more hooks to keep it in place, and she ran over to me as if so excited I was fixing her toy. Maybe it's a sign she's used to me? I hope so~!  ^---^

   

Until next time,

Pearl Popping~

    

First Shells

     Chloe's first two shells with me ^--^ I was hoping to get her in the new shell beside these two however she was running away too much so I had to put her back. Unlike Prada, Chloe never really goes inside of her shell which makes handling her a bit tough. She is my energizer bunny through and through (^3^)

I bought her in the white one and once home she entered the spotted one on the right.

The size compared to a US penny.

Until next time,
Pearl Popping~

Fighting unwanted growth: deep clean

     I was ready for bed last night at about two o'clock in the morning when I took a quick peek inside the crabitat to make sure the levels were perfect when I noticed Chloe was still sitting in the same spot. Freaking out I threw the top off and made sure she absolutely fine before placing her back on the sand to which she ran away from me. As she moved with the speed of light I felt completely disgusted with myself for putting her back in that nastiness! Little "cotton clouds" were everywhere in the sand! 

     I grabbed Chloe again, much to her dislike, and placed her inside of a bowl (the ISO tank was nasty too) then began pulling out all the items I was going to need. Noting this would take awhile I sprayed the  bowl to give her some much needed air and covered it with the lid so she couldn't escape - that's all I needed, to be running around my room at two in the morning looking for a crab. 

      Once Chloe was safely contained and out of my way on my bed I removed everything; yes, everything. I have no idea what the hell was in that sand but it needed to go. It took a while and it was pretty messy, I'm not going to lie, but at least it was done. Now the substrate is completely fresh with added calcium sand just to give her a little boost. I washed all the dishes, the toys, the coconut hut and even wiped down the tank with saltwater as I couldn't use disinfectants. I removed the tree and replaced it with the bridge I once had in the tank that Chloe enjoyed. She actually took a short nap on it after everything was settled. 

     I also added new items she can climb on such as a doilie (Which she took to right away), the shredded coconut wall (I forgot what it's actually called, sorry), and I also put the soap dish "second level" back inside and she loved it all over again. Chloe loves to climb and that's something I can't forget, but I also keep it safe to make sure she can't climb right out of the tank. 

     Hopefully the growth stays away and Chloe enjoys her clean new living space. I also threw away the ISO tank I had because it was absolutely overrun with a disgusting mold or fungus and I didn't have the stomach to clean it. With only one hermit crab I won't have to worry about molting as she can do it right in the main tank. 

     Last night was crazy but at least I didn't have work today and could sleep in. I really am fighting the growth though, I have seen it before but it was only a little and in the powder foods so I discontinued them, only giving my hermies pellets and fresh food. After searching it up on the web I believe my humidity might be too high along with the heat. These are the ideal levels for Chloe though and I am lost on those facts. For the time being I will keep my eyes open and continue fighting anything that doesn't belong. 

Until next time,

Pearl Popping~

24/7 Salad Party~

       I have just finished mixing a fresh salad together for Chloe consisting of mustard greens, broccoli, raisins, and dried cranberries. I might add some meat in later as well but for now I think that's good. I always add raisins because it seems my hermies really liked them. While raisins were Prada's favorite I'm still trying to find Chloe's, though she seems to really enjoy eating that piece of driftwood... I should buy some more of that soon. 

     I was placing the top back on when I saw her climbing on the side where I placed the net at. It made realized that she I haven't seen her climb on the tree as of yet which is weird for her seeing as she loves to. As I'm writing she's making her way up the net again. I am pretty sure she doesn't sleep too, every time I look in the crabitat she is wide awake. If anything I have been play hide and seek with her. One minute she's here and the next I can't find her again. 

     Well, like I was saying: I haven't seen her on the tree and so either later today or tomorrow I will revamp her tank (sand, shells, decorations, etc.) to fix it up to her liking. My reason being the tree is pretty big and taking up space, if she doesn't like it then it needs to go. Actually I still haven't taken a picture... salad party

Tank setup

     This is how the tank has been for a while now and I'm ready for a change, I like to believe Chloe is too. Speaking of Chloe, raise your hand if you see her ^--^ (Answer: on the left near the water dish in the green shell.)

Until next time,

Pearl Popping~

Back to square one

     Two days after resurfacing Chloe has gone back to normal routine; climbing, eating, and some more climbing. I saw her resting for a bit before she went right back to her crazy hermit crab antics. It's great that she is still active for that was one of the things I was worried about but I've noticed she seems to be a little more unsure of me than before her molt. I'm not taking it too seriously, perhaps after a couple of weeks of not seeing me she needs to get to know me again? Also, I really want to get some new pictures of Chloe but I am waiting for the right time.

     Besides that, I really hope she's okay without another hermie in the tank. I'm not ready to adopt one quiet yet and I'm still not sure if I had done something wrong with Prada who was fine one day and died the next. As I said before, I'll figure it out. For the time being it'll just be Chloe and I. 

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~

The curious beast

A jumbo Hermit crab, wow. One day in the far future my hermies will be that big too~