Hermit crab

Hermit crab (scientific name: Paguridae), also known as "white house" and "dried house", mainly uses seashells as shelter, with the largest shell having a diameter of more than 15 centimeters. It has a shape between a shrimp and a crab, mostly inhabiting inside seashells. The body is long, divided into the cephalothorax and abdomen. The cephalothorax has a carapace, but does not cover the last thoracic segment. The front part of the cephalothorax is narrow and strongly calcified, while the posterior part is wide and made of keratin or completely membranous, with obvious cervical groove. The abdomen is long, curved or straight, with a few species being broad and short, but most are asymmetrical. Hermit crabs are mostly found in the coastal areas of the Yellow Sea and southern seas, easily found on beaches and in rock crevices by the seashore. They are sometimes seen in other places such as bamboo joints, coconut shells, corals, sponges, etc. This omnivorous animal, known as "cleaner", is not listed in the national list of key protected wild animals and belongs to the category of general protected animals.

There are more than 500 species of hermit crabs in the world, most of which live in water, while a few live on land. Some hermit crabs no longer live in shells but have developed a hard shell similar to crabs, known as the coconut crab. Hermit crabs live in the armor of their predators, but because of this armor, they have to carry it around, sometimes even with their right pincer larger than the left one, or the left claw larger than the right one. Hermit crabs often live in the shells of dead mollusks to protect their soft abdomen, hence the name.

Hermit crabs are suitable for feeding crab lovers.

1. Water mold disease

Main symptoms: The body surface, limbs, or wounds of the sick crab appear 2-3cm grayish-white cotton-like hyphae, and they reproduce in large numbers in the deep muscles and spread between tissue gaps. The Chinese mitten crab secretes a large amount of mucus on the body surface when stimulated, moves slowly, has reduced appetite, weak physique, and the tissues in the wound area become ulcerated and spread, eventually leading to death due to inability to molt.

Treatment: Spray fungi throughout the pond, which have a strong peeling effect on water molds and gill molds, repair wounds, and purify water quality.

2. Edema disease

Main symptoms: The abdomen, abdominal muscles, and the area below the back shell of the sick crab are swollen and transparent. The crab moves slowly, stays on the shore, does not go into the water, does not feed, and eventually dies of exhaustion. This disease is caused by bacterial infection after the abdomen of the Chinese mitten crab is injured.

Treatment: Sprinkle calcium oxide (lime) throughout the pond, with a dosage of about 15kg/acre/m, and adjust the pH value to between 7.5 and 8.5. Spray fungi throughout the pond, which have a strong peeling effect on water molds and gill molds, repair wounds, and purify water quality.

3. Enteritis disease

Main symptoms: The sick crab has reduced appetite and moves slowly, with a pale color. After dissection, the intestine is found to be red without food or feces. Sometimes, the liver, kidney, and gills may also have lesions, and gastric ulcers and yellow vomiting may occur. Sometimes, the liver, kidney, and gills may also have lesions, and gastric ulcers and yellow vomiting may occur.

Treatment: Ao Ba Huang, clearing heat and detoxification, cooling blood and treating dysentery. It is mainly used to treat bacterial septicemia, gill rot, enteritis, and red skin, etc. Mix 80-120 jin of the bottle mixture, sprinkle it, and sprinkle 250ml of liquid over 3-5 acres.

4. Black gill disease

Main symptoms: In the early stage of the disease, some gill filaments appear dark gray or black. As the condition progresses, all gill filaments become black, and they become incomplete, with the end and respiratory organs necrotic. It is difficult to breathe, moves slowly, often on the shore or attached to water plants, and can die within a few days in severe cases.

Treatment: Ao Ba Huang, clearing heat and detoxification, cooling blood and treating dysentery. It is mainly used to treat bacterial septicemia, gill rot, enteritis, and red skin, etc. Mix 80-120 jin of the bottle mixture, sprinkle it, and sprinkle 250ml of liquid over 3-5 acres.

1. Provide suitable breeding containers

The hermit crab can be bred in fish tanks or larger glass jars, plastic jars, etc. The bottom should be filled with sand and built into a slope shape, and some coral stones should be placed. Adjust the concentration of saltwater to 0.4-0.5% (use sea salt instead of edible salt), and flood it to about 1/3-1/4 of the slope. If conditions permit, a small filter can also be installed.

2. Control the appropriate temperature and humidity

The temperature should be controlled between 21-27 degrees Celsius. The relative humidity is 70%, and the absolute humidity is about 50%, but most humidity meters measure relative humidity. Hermit crabs like moist environments, but moist does not mean hot and stuffy. Be sure to pay attention to ventilation and do not seal the breeding box.

3. Feed them with food

Hermit crabs can be fed with fruits, coarse grains (do not feed acidic foods and dairy products), minced fish meat, clam meat or small shrimp meat, etc. The food should be placed on the surface of the water and sand. Feed them once a day, and clean up the uneaten food in time to avoid water pollution.

4. Regularly replace the water

Hermit crabs are saprophytic animals. If the surrounding environment is too dirty, it can cause diseases in hermit crabs, such as bacterial proliferation and parasite proliferation. Therefore, it is necessary to regularly replace the water. In summer, replace 1/3 of the water every week, and in winter, the water replacement time can be longer. It can also be replaced according to breeding habits and actual conditions.

5. Give them a bath regularly

Hermit crabs need to take a bath every week, which is essential for them to keep their gills moist. Because hermit crabs breathe through their gills, their gills need to be kept moist. The reason is to allow oxygen to dissolve into the water on the surface of the gills and then exchange the air with the capillaries on the gills. The water should not contain any chlorine, and the temperature should be at room temperature, not significantly higher or lower than room temperature.