Mites are parasites that can also infest hermit crabs. These are microscopic insects and can therefore be difficult to see with the naked eye, but they can look like tiny black or dark spots moving on the body of these crustaceans. If you don't treat the infestation, the mites can cause stress and injury to the hermit crab, which could lose a leg or even die. Mites can also live and reproduce in your pet invertebrate's aquarium. It is essential to ensure thorough cleaning of the tank and all the accessories that are inside, to eradicate the infestation. You must also remove the parasites from the body of the crustacean and keep the aquarium clean, so that the mites do not return.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Clean the Aquarium with Water
Step 1. Place the hermit crab in another container
Before cleaning the aquarium, you must move the animal to another tank, in order to perform a thorough cleaning of the aquarium itself and the accessories. You can put the items to be washed in a tub or a plastic basin. The hermit crab will likely move around in its tank as you clean the aquarium.
You can leave a small bowl of chlorine-free water next to the hermit crab bowl and wait for it to reach room temperature. This water can be used later to eliminate the mites present on the body of the crustacean, in order to free it from parasites when it returns to the aquarium, thus avoiding a new infestation
Step 2. Use a small vacuum to remove the bugs from the aquarium
If you really want to get rid of it completely, this is an effective method. You must use the vacuum before wetting the tub, as it works best on dry surfaces. Focus especially on the corners, because they are the most frequent spots for parasites.
Step 3. Clean the tub with plain tap water to get rid of any remaining mites
Once you have removed all the accessories, you can scrub the walls of the aquarium with damp kitchen paper. Press on the sides and bottom of the container to collect and eliminate parasites. Make sure you do some careful work around corners as well, as they are often great hiding places.
You can rinse the tub with tap water to get rid of any mites that still resist. Try to get rid of all black spots present, in order to get a perfectly clean aquarium
Step 4. Dry it in direct sunlight
Mites do not like the sun's rays; once rubbed and rinsed, you must then leave the container in the sun to dry completely.
Optionally, you can let it dry indoors overnight. When it is perfectly dry, you can put the well-sanitized accessories back inside
Part 2 of 4: Killing Mites on Aquarium Furniture
Step 1. Get rid of the accessories if possible
If you don't mind throwing away all the elements inside the tank, including the substrate of the bottom, such as sand, you can eliminate them. This is the simplest solution to eradicate mite infestation, as it prevents contaminated accessories or substrate from being introduced into the container.
- You should also throw away any hermit crab toys, as they are probably just as full of mites.
- To get rid of them, put them in a garbage bag and immediately throw it in the external garbage can. By doing this, you avoid the risk of parasites coming back and infesting the aquarium or other areas of the house again.
Step 2. Boil the aquarium furnishings for at least 20 minutes
If you can't afford to throw them, you can boil them to kill the mites; once disinfected, you can put them back in the tub. Use distilled water to sanitize the substrate, such as gravel or stones, and all accessories by boiling them for 20 minutes. Don't neglect the food container, shells, and toys that hermit crabs, such as corals, can climb on. Boiling water allows you to sterilize all components and kills parasites.
Wait for all items to cool before returning them to the aquarium
Step 3. Place the high temperature resistant accessories in the oven at 150 ° C
This is another option for treating substrate, such as sand, gravel, or pieces of wood, by placing them on the baking sheet. "Cook" them for at least half an hour and wait for them to come back to room temperature before placing them back in the tub.
If you are concerned that the pieces of wood will burn in the oven, you can sterilize them in the microwave. Leave them in the appliance for two minutes, making sure they do not catch fire
Part 3 of 4: Remove the Mites from the Hermit Crab Body
Step 1. Wash the crustacean in a small bowl of chlorine-free water
While the aquarium is drying out after washing it, you should also do a good cleaning of the hermit crab, so that it does not infect the tank with the mites present on its body again. Use non-chlorinated water at room temperature to "bathe him" at least once or twice.
- Put the animal in the bowl of water. Turn it upside down so that all the air bubbles come out of its shell. Then, drain the water that entered its shell by pouring it back into the bowl. In this way, the mites should leave his body and fall into the bowl with water. When finished, throw the water down the sink drain. Repeat the process one more time or until all the mites have been eliminated. Make sure there are none left on the hermit crab shell.
- You can also use kitchen paper to pick up residual parasites by scrubbing the shell gently and very carefully. Running water over the animal's body, scrubbing and rinsing it should help eliminate all mites.
Step 2. Use a specific anti-mite product for hermit crabs
You can purchase one of these products from an arthropod veterinarian or from pet stores that deal with exotic specimens. This is a great solution if you have tried the remedy with plain water or the boiling water method with no results.
Step 3. Do not use spray products on the animal or in the aquarium
The commercial ones are not specific to hermit crabs and could cause harm to your little friend. They should not be used on crustaceans or in aquariums.
You also don't have to use bleach solutions to clean the pet's body or tub. Bleach has a high chlorine content, which can cause hermit crab gills to blister and make them sick
Part 4 of 4: Preventing Mite Infestation in the Hermit Crab Aquarium
Step 1. Keep the aquarium clean
To prevent mites from infesting your tank again, you need to clean it thoroughly every week. If you want to do a meticulous job, you have to remove the hermit crab and put it in another container. You can then follow the cleaning method with normal water and sterilize the accessories by boiling them or placing them in the microwave, as described above.
- If you keep a sponge in the tub to increase the humidity, you should smell it to make sure it smells clean and not rotten. If you smell bad, you need to replace it. Optionally, you can put it in the microwave for a few minutes so that the heat kills all the mites.
- Clean the aquarium lid once a day, if present, to reduce the risk of parasite infestations, such as mites. If you wish, you can close the lid with adhesive tape, to prevent dust or annoying insects from floating on the water.
- Do not keep live plants near the hermit crab tank, as they attract various insects, including the mites themselves, which could easily move into the aquarium from here.
Step 2. Discard any spoiled food left in the container
Mites are attracted to hermit crab food and can take refuge within the same treats as dried shrimp and plankton-like crab food. You can try feeding your crustacean friend only dry food for a while, as wet or fresh food has a stronger smell, which can attract parasites.
You should also clean the aquarium every day of all the animal's droppings, as well as replace the water in the bowl, so that it is always clean
Step 3. Inspect the hermit crab every day for mites
You have to spend time on this daily. Examine the animal under the light to see any small dots moving on its shell or other parts of the body.
