hi everyone just a quick question i think i smell ammonia in my tank did i do something wrong .2 hermies walking 1 undergtound 1 left, can't find her with out moving and digging the 2 that are out seem to be fine.wanted to clean out tank but now should i whats with that ammonia smell its not decay but not pleasant
scotty
i smell ammonia
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Topic author
ammonia is a good indication of a molt. I would move any hermies on the surface to another tank (make sure they aren't the molters) and then just let the molter (whichever it is) do it's thing.
If you see the third up and running aruond, grab that one too and put it in the other tank, so that only the molter is left in the tank.
If you don't have another tank, try to find where the smell is strongest, and maybe take some CD Jewel cases, and (very, very, very, gently) try to iso off 1/2 or even 1/4 of the tank, that you think the molter is in. Make sure the case goes to the bottom of the tank, and that the others can't climb over them. Keep food and water on both sides of the barier, and just keep an eye and ear out for any fights / chirping..
If you see the third up and running aruond, grab that one too and put it in the other tank, so that only the molter is left in the tank.
If you don't have another tank, try to find where the smell is strongest, and maybe take some CD Jewel cases, and (very, very, very, gently) try to iso off 1/2 or even 1/4 of the tank, that you think the molter is in. Make sure the case goes to the bottom of the tank, and that the others can't climb over them. Keep food and water on both sides of the barier, and just keep an eye and ear out for any fights / chirping..
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All my crabs molt in the main tank. IMHO you dont have to move them unless you think there is trouble. If you dont know exactly where they are do not try the CD thing cause you may collapse their tunnel. They often give a window underneath and if you can spot that then you can keep an eye on things.
Dead hermies are more fishy so yes sounds like a molt and will be in the most vulnerable stage of one so be careful.
Good luck
Dead hermies are more fishy so yes sounds like a molt and will be in the most vulnerable stage of one so be careful.
Good luck
CrAbBy aNd PrOuD
2 PP's~2 Violas~1 Blueberry~2 Indos~1 Ruggie
crabbin since 2005.
2 PP's~2 Violas~1 Blueberry~2 Indos~1 Ruggie
crabbin since 2005.
after crabs molt they have sharp, long nails at the tips of their walking legs, and I find this an easy way to recognize a molt afterwards (especially if you know that previously they didn't have these nails).
Caroline
Caroline
26 LHC: 6 PPs, 5 Es, 1 Straw, 6 Ruggies, 2 Indos, 1 Blueberry, 4 Violas, 1 Aussie