I think i could of hurt my hermit crab?

Question

mmmm i put him in tap water and i think i hurt him....... help plz

Answer 1

"could of" makes no sense, I think you mean could have, which can be contracted to could've which you mistake for "could of".

and crabs aren't fish, notice the lack of a spine, fish are vertebrates, and crabs are crustaceans.  this question should have been posted in Pets, Other.

Answer 2

Hermit crabs need water that is dechlorinated, because the heavy metals in tap water can kill a hermit crab, by causing their gills to blister (causing eventual suffocation).

You need to take your hermit crab to the veterinarian immediately. There may be, however, nothing that you can do if it's gills are already blistering.

Never put a hermit crab in tap water! Now you've learned your lesson.

Answer 3

i wouldnt do that!!!!! he could get blisters on his gills and have a painful and slow death.

Answer 4

Why do you think you hurt him? What signs is he showing that you think he's hurt? Was the water too hot or too cold? They are really land crabs, but water doesn't usually hurt them. They're pretty tough critters!  

Answer 5

well maybe you didnt cause they live in water so i guess it dosent mater because its plan water but dont put it in salt water !!!!!1

Answer 6

You did hurt him.

Municipal tap water contains chlorine and chloramines, chemicals which burn hermit crabs' sensitive gills. If a hermit crab is exposed to chlorine, its gills may blister and cause it to suffocate.

You should give him a good dunk in de-chlorinated water immediately, to wash off any residue, than make sure your habitat confitions are appropriate: temperature 75 - 80 degrees F; humidity 75% - 80%; bedding mistened sand or coconut husk fiber, twice as deep as your biggest hermit crab; DE-CHLORINATED ONLY fresh water and marine salt water dishes (made from a marine aquarium salt).

Set him back in and leave him alone without handling or disturbing him, near his food and water dishes so he doesn't have to move far to get to them. It's hard to say whether or not he will be all right-- he may well die-- but this will at least give him the best chance of recovering if he's able. Good luck.