Can I add more substrate on top of crabs if they where buried in the existing substrate?

[zokirova]

Love all the advice I read in HCA! New to this and realized I needed more substrate for my bigger crab. I had 9 inches and just made it 10 with playsand and cocofiber. My question is in my 75 gallon tank I have not seen 2 of my little hermit crabs latley, maybe they are buried If that was the case could I kill them by adding that extra substrate?

[JoeHermits]

Not if you’re careful. A one-inch addition every twenty-four hours is usually a safe bet.


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[zokirova]

Thank you! In such a big tank with so many hides I'm not sure where they are, but have not seen them for over a week. If they are dead in the substrate how would I know? One is tiny, and the other like the size of a nickel.

[JoeHermits]

If they’re buried you may never know. Be patient—disappearing for months on end is normal! Sometimes even small crabs may remain buried for a month or longer, it’s all up to them.


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[zokirova]

Very much a animal of guessing and observing, and not meddling. Thanks!

[ciaraalston]

It's the hardest part of having hermit crabs for me!!! When they're all down, I'm constantly checking the tank waiting for them to come up. Lol.


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[Hermiesguardian]

It's the hardest part of having hermit crabs for me!!! When they're all down, I'm constantly checking the tank waiting for them to come up. Lol.


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I have 3 of 6 up in one tank. I have no idea if the rest are alive. Unless you see them all up at once you never really know. Until you upgrade and transfer them over as they come up. It really kinda sucks.

[angelbearpuppy]

I know, and then you have a few that only come up at night. One of mine is really shy. He tends to bury down during the day, and come up at night. I have only caught him in and around the tank a couple of times.