Originally Posted by PaleoRodo

Hatchling crocs are more sensitive/fragile than one might imagine. Was tank water heated? IMHO very young/hatchling crocs generally do best alone or with another hatchling brother/sister of same age. Warm water up to 88-90 degrees. Plenty of places to hide/floating plastic plants, drift wood etc. and keep tank covered except for basking lamp area and let humidity build up like a little croc greenhouse. These little guys are very sensitive to stress. stress from poor captive care prior to shipment, Stress of shipment itself, water too cold, stress of not feeling "secure", etc. A smaller nursery tank may make them feel more secure than a large open tank where in nature they would instinctively stick to shoreline and shallows. Lots of different things might have happened to your little guy. Hard to say for sure. If you try again, no cage mates, smaller tank, warm water, and security/do not disturb for a few months.