Crab Alert!

The crabs have been crazy today! And I'm trying to pull all of my experience together so that they will make it through.
First of all, Daki, my boyfriend's crab, is molting. I was fluffing up the sand and adding saltwater when I pulled up a crab hanging out of his shell. I felt so bad because he his my boyfriend's. I am pretty sure it moved some, and it smelled fresh. So I put it in a 2-Liter ISO for now. He should pull through in a few weeks. Keep Daki in your hopeful thoughts! =-)
And second, just a moment ago, I saw Titan examining a shell... Igantius' shell! (Ignatius changed into a new white whale eye shell). Quickly I opened the cage and there was Ignatius, obliviously climbing some cholla wood naked! I took Titan and put her in the moss pit by herself. I looked into the shell to see if anything was the matter, and I saw something white and somewhat big so I dunked it in the saltwater to get it out. Immediatly, Ignatius was back in his shell. I put him in the opposite side where the shells are. I can't really call this a shellfight. Ignatius probably would have chirped if someone was going to take his shell.

I'll hopefully have better updates. Wish my 'lil babes luck!

Before a herm's eyes!

Albeit! I've redone my tank again! But I was certain to not dig up any molters/buriers that are in the EE. I rearranged the second levels a bit, changed dishes, and I bought this new fake log. It looks great and the hermies really enjoy it. I also added the fake plant and some netting into the mix. Hopefully all this decor will encourage the crab's natural activity. I'm very happy with it now and will not be redecorating for another month when it is cleaned.

























And that isn't all! Guess who got two new Ecuadorians!? ME! The one below was in the shell to the right when we got him, and changed today into the pretty Babylon shell! I still think he is rather cramped in it, so maybe he'll change again. Both are he's.
The other crab was in a Magpie turbo and is an E too. He was digging at the store and immediatly dug down in the EE. I think he's going to molt. But this little guy (I've named Ignatius) can't seem to sit still! I caught him eating a few times too. I hope my four crabs resurface soon. I've vowed to stop digging them up. I'll keep up the good work and post more soon!

Of Mice and Molts!

Oh yeah! I am back. I hadn't really gave much attention to my hermies since last post but I'm back in the groove in the things and I plan on getting some more in a few days or so. I've found that a few have molted or are molting. I always was fearing this day! The crab below was the one I found that had molted and I can't tell if it is Coral or Lucky! (Speaking of, Crab Files #3 will be posted once my crabs resurface). I think Onyx may have molted as well, she looks huge compared to her prior size. And I found Titan molting and ISOed him, sadly he lost his left walking leg during and still won't change shells!
My boyfriend gave me his last crab (all of his died :-( *tear*) It is an E and I've named it Daki. I've yet to be able to sex it because it has buried as well as Onyx and the other teeny PP.

I'm very pleased with this 'tat. It works well and looks nice. I'm still trying to add in a plant somewhere. And I have added two second levels! These are my best yet! Both have moss in them.
I bought some new Babylons too, no changes recently. Wish me luck, I will post very soon!

Under a Rock?

I'm afraid so. It seems my hermit obsession was dead, non? But it recently was sparked again when I cleaned out the cage! It is now all playsand with a little bit off coconut bedding in the deep side. When I received my grand package for free from a kind someone it was chock-full of goodies. The two cholla woods, green twist ladder, and suction plant are from her. They make a nice jungle feel and they love to climb and nibble the cholla. This is really more sleek and I hate the EE stuff. It is super messy, gets pretty compacted, and just looks bleak. My crabs really like this new setup and I hope everyone else does too. I am happy to let my blog regain life. I implore you to keep returning! In other news, My good friend's sister's crab died so he gave the mate to me. It was named John, but upon finding it's gender, I named her Jade. Picture of her soon! And I recently won a crab contest at CSJ, I won the four corals, a keychain, and the crab hat! Yay for me. Keep returning, byebye! Crab out!

Crabitat to the Max!

I recently received a box full of crab related goodies from a very kind woman on Crab Street Journal. Thank you for giving me such nice things. I haven't been able to put them ALL to use though. Here are the most recent pictures of my crabitat. It is 20L and now has a 2nd floor along with a side of FB that the crabs love to burrow in! I have a lot more shells and they seem super happy. I have one question though, is the half-log hermit-safe? Just wondering. Thanks everyone, good bye for now.

Crab Files #2

Titan
Date: 7/1/06
Sex: F
Size: Small
Species: Ecudorian












Coral
Date: 6/22/06
Sex: F
Size: Teeny
Species: Purple Pincher





Onyx
Date: 6/15/06
Sex: F
Size: Small
Species: Ecudorian











Lucky
Date: 7/13/06
Sex: F
Size: Teeny
Species: Purple Pincher










Lilac
Date: 7/11/06
Sex: F
Size: Medium
Species: Purple Pincher

Crabby Cuisine

You are probably wondering what gourmet foods crabs eat. They eat, and need, a large variety of foods and vitamins. Crabs need calcium for their exo's, protein to deminish crab fights, and many other necessary nutrients. You should offer fresh foods to your crabs at least every other day. To view lists of foods good and bad for crabs, visit the Epicurean Hermit.

One of the best parts of being a crab owner is designing your very own crab dishes! I have created two of my own, and I decided to share my tips with everyone!

Coconut Shells

This dish was designed when we had a lot of leftover coconut meat from making two cocohuts. After cleaning the meat several times, it was chopped into small chunks. Later, eggshells were added for extra calcium. I stored it all in a bag with a paper towel in the freezer.











Salty Shrimp and Celery Leaves

This is the new dish I have created! After dining at a china buffet, I snuck some shrimp home with me! Today I chopped it up and pulled it all apart the best I could. Next I added the ends (leaves) of some celery and chopped it all up. I added LOTS of uniodized sea salt to the dish. After everything was mixed, I cleaned it and added dechlorinated water to it and then filled an ice tray with the dish! Now when they need a shrimp cube, I'll just pop one out! These shown are not yet frozen.
















I always add powdered cuttlebone to my crabs dishes, it provides mega calcium.










I currently use this commercial food with fresh foods, or by itself.