Moving 80 gallon tank- waiting for 1 molter

[VenturaHermit]

Hi,

After 4 years, I need to rehome my crabs. I’ve found a local crabber who is experienced and can keep them permanently, so it’s the best situation I could hope for.
8 of my 9 crabs were all up recently, so I seized the opportunity to put them in a 10 gallon temporary tank and wait for the last molter to come up. It has been nearly three weeks with no sign of the molter. I have cleaned and tended the temporary tank regularly, but I’m concerned this is causing stress to the rest of the crabs while I wait for this molter.
Im looking for advice about what to do at this point. Should I continue to keep the crabs in this small tank waiting for the molter? Or should I dig the molter up, put oh I’m in a tiny iso tank, clean out the large tank and get that set up at the new permanent home and get the other crabs established there. And when the molter is ready I can add him to the tank?
I’m just unsure about how to proceed and I would appreciate your input.
Thank you!

[wodesorel]

I take it the adopter needs your tank to have enough space, and isn't able to take the ones above ground first?

8 crabs in a 10 gallon is going to be pushing their ability to cope with each other. If you or they can't go bigger while you're waiting, you may want to take the risk with isolating the molter. I've had to move molters many times and never lost one by doing so, but I have had crabs killed when pressed into too small accommodations even for brief periods. (If one surface molts it will be over for them before you even notice something is wrong.)

If you decide to dig, go slow, use your hands so you can feel where the molting cave is and stop immediately. Have the iso set up so you won't have to touch it again until the crab is up and moving on it's own. And if it's been a while since you've seen the crab be prepared for an empty shell, because molting deaths are unfortunately common.

[VenturaHermit]

Yes correct, their crabitat isn’t big enough to accommodate my crabs, so I’m giving them my entire setup. I’m relieved that they are familiar with hermit crab needs and willing to take on crabs.
So I think you’re right, that I need to get the other crabs back into their large tank asap.
Today I carefully dug up all the substrate. It took hours. And I didn’t find any crabs. So I must have miscounted my crabs?! That’s ridiculous. I also can’t believe they were all up at the same time! But I’m so relieved. I’ve cleaned out the whole tank and will set it up in the new house and have the crabs back in their big tank in three days.
Thank you for your input. I’m glad I didn’t wait forever!