Hermit crabs dying

[DustinHale77]

So the past few days I've noticed a dead hermit crab, one in the sump and three in the main display. They were all over 7 years old in my tank, so not new by any means. All my perimeters look good I've checked for stray voltage the only thing I don't have are metal tests. Anyone have other ideas? I changed salt two months ago to Reef Crystals.

Thanks

 

[Wolf89]

Are you sure they are not molts?

 

[Porpoise Hork]

First thing would be is to check for copper. Get the API copper test kit and see what's going on there. Any new fish added recently?

 

[DustinHale77]

No new fish I was thinking live stock but to have one in the sump and display its leading me to believe its a water issue. Can high calcium be bad for hermits its at 500 at the moment?

 

[DustinHale77]

Definitely deaths not molts ,the shell they were in is right next to it.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Could have developed disease at molt or damage by tank occupants...that an IF.
I would look at chemistry, mainly Nitrite/nitrate levels as well as possible low or high calcium which they need for their shells at molting.

 

[DustinHale77]

That's what I was thinking but nitrite is at 0 ,nitrate at .07 and my calcium is higher then ever at 500 I was thinking maybe too high. Idk?

Could have developed disease at molt or damage by tank occupants...that an IF.
I would look at chemistry, mainly Nitrite/nitrate levels as well as possible low calcium which they need for their shells at molting.

 

[vetteguy53081]

That's what I was thinking but nitrite is at 0 ,nitrate at .07 and my calcium is higher then ever at 500 I was thinking maybe too high. Idk?

Yes, CA is high. you will be be able to bring it down by adding new water and not adding CA for at least 2-3 weeks