You wake up, check your tank, and suddenly notice something’s wrong; your hermit crab has died. It is a tragic occurrence, and you may be wondering, “Why did my hermit crab die?” The truth is that hermit crabs require more care than most hermit crab pet owners realize. Factors like low humidity, toxic shells, poor diet, or stress can cause serious hermit crab illness issues. But don’t worry, you’re not alone in this!
In this guide, I’ll discuss:
- Why do hermit crabs die away from their shell?
- How to prevent common hermit crab diseases?
- What to do if one of your hermit crabs has passed away?
If you’re serious about giving your hermit crab the best chance at survival, keep reading for essential care tips.
Why Did My Hermit Crab Died Out Of Its Shell?
If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Why did my hermit crab die suddenly?” You’re not alone. Hermit crabs may seem hardy, but they are quite sensitive animals that must be treated very carefully to thrive. Even small mistakes in their humidity, diet, or living conditions can lead to severe stress, illness, or sudden death.
As a responsible hermit crab owner, you must understand why hermit crabs die so you can prevent future losses. Here, I will describe the most common reasons why hermit crabs die, and using this, you can make a healthier life for your pets.
Common Causes of Hermit Crab Deaths
- Environmental Stress: Fluctuations in Temperature and Humidity
Hermit crabs are tropical crab species that need to be kept in high humidity (70–80%) and warm temperatures (72–80°F) to survive. If they don’t get these conditions, they will suffocate, shock, or contract illness due to stress.
- Low humidity: Dries out their gills, leading to suffocation.
- Temperature extremes: Heat or cold stress leads to lethargy, stress, and death.
- Sudden temperature changes: Open windows, air conditioners, or heaters create fatal changes.
How To Prevent It?
Check humidity with a hygrometer and provide heat mats or lamps to maintain a stable environment.
- Shell Problems: Inadequate or Toxic Shells
Hermit crabs rely on shells for protection, and inappropriate shells can stress and kill them.
- Lack of adequate, proper shells: Forces crabs to stay in ill-fitting or fractured shells.
- Painted or chemically treated shells: They are toxic and can lead to poisoning.
- Shell abandonment: Extreme stress, poor tank conditions, or illness can cause a crab to leave its shell and die.
How To Prevent It?
Provide a variety of natural, unpainted shells of different sizes and reduce handling during shell switching.
- Nutritional Deficiencies and Toxic Foods
Poor diet weakens hermit crabs and makes them more susceptible to sickness and death.
- Toxic foods: Table salt, processed snack foods, artificial sweeteners, and citrus.
- Calcium deficiency: Weaken their exoskeleton, exposing them.
How To Prevent It?
Offer a well-balanced diet of fresh fruits, proteins, and calcium sources like cuttlebone and eggshells.
- Handling and Stress-Related Deaths
Hermit crabs are sensitive to stress, and they can be weakened by excessive handling in the long run.
- Continuous moving or dropping: Injures and emotionally traumatizes.
- Too much exposure to light and noise: Disrupts their nocturnal lifestyle, leading to stress.
- Isolation: Hermit crabs are communal and will become depressed if kept alone.
How To Prevent It?
Avoid excessive handling of hermit crabs, provide them with hideaways, and house them in pairs.
- Incorrect Molting Conditions
Molting is a delicate stage in which hermit crabs shed or molt their exoskeleton. A wrong molting condition can result in death.
- Insufficient substrate depth: Prevents normal burrowing, leading to unsuccessful molting.
- Disturbing molting crabs: Can lead to stress, limb loss, or mortality.
How To Prevent It?
Provide at least 6 inches of moist, sand-based substrate and never dig up a molting crab.
- Social Stress and Aggression
Hermit crabs thrive in colonies but may suffer from social stress due to overcrowding or aggression.
- Shell fights: Crabs will injure or kill each other over shells.
- Limited space: Crowding leads to competition for resources.
How To Prevent It?
Offer several shells and keep the tank spacious (at least 10 gallons per crab).
Related Topic: How to Get Rid of Hermit Crab Mites
What to Do If One of Your Hermit Crabs Dies?
If a hermit crab dies, it’s crucial to deal with the situation carefully:
- Remove the Body: Carefully remove the dead crab from the tank to avoid contamination.
- Check the Environment: Check the tank for any harmful conditions such as poor temperature, humidity, or toxins.
- Examine Other Crabs: Make sure the other crabs are healthy and free from signs of stress or illness.
- Clean the Tank: Sanitize the tank to prevent disease spread.
- Dispose Properly: Bury the crab or dispose of it with dignity.
Read More: How to Tell if a Hermit Crab is Dead?
Final Thoughts
The question “Why did my hermit crab die?” is often a consequence of dehydration or poor tank conditions, which are prime suspects. Hermit crabs are sensitive creatures, and without proper care, they can become victims of disease and stress easily. To prevent hermit crab disease and ensure longevity, focus on providing an environment with perfect humidity and temperature and a properly balanced diet, along with minimizing stressors.
If you would like additional hermit crab care tips, check out this blog on why do hermit crabs lose limbs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kills a hermit crab?
Hermit crabs can be prone to improper tank conditions, such as temperature or humidity extremes, poor diet, or lack of molting room. They will also die due to stress, disease, or toxins.
Do hermit crabs die in their shell?
Yes, hermit crabs can die inside their shells, typically due to disease, stress, or environmental factors. A dead crab can remain inside its shell, and this could make it even more challenging to detect.
Why did my hermit crab leave his shell and died?
A hermit crab will molt its shell due to extreme stress, illness, or environmental reasons. Without its shell, it will be exposed and lead to death.
What do hermit crabs do before they die?
Before they die, hermit crabs will sometimes show lethargy, loss of appetite or thirst, unusual posture, or color variation. They will also retract or lose their grip strength.
What Happens When a Hermit Crab Dies?
When a hermit crab dies, its body will begin to decompose. It can emit a strong odor from the shell, and other crabs become aggressive or inquisitive toward the deceased. It needs to be taken away as soon as possible.
