inactive for 4 days

[coleycoles777]

Hi y'all, seeking some advice about the inactiveness of one of my crabs. For some background, I have a 20 gallon long tank with one large crab (shelby), who went down to molt about 2 weeks ago, and one small to medium sized crab (rolly polly). I have about 7 inches of substrate with a 5:1 ratio of play sand and eco earth. The substrate has a nice "sand castle""consistency. Additionally, the tank has a consistent temp of 80 degrees, with a constant 80% humidity level.

I noticed that for about a week straight, rolly polly was going to town in her food bowl. Then, out of the blue, she stopped coming to food dishes to eat, and has remained in the corner of the tank hunkered under some plants to hide. I even put some of her occasional special treat (honey), which is her favorite. However, that was unsuccessful in coaxing her out.

I want to believe that perhaps her large appetite, followed by lethargy and lack of movement may be a precursor to molting. It's just that my other crabs who were about to molt went straight down and did their thing without exhibiting any of rolly polly's behaviors.

Do y'all have any ideas of what could be causing this, if I should be worried, and what steps (if any) I should take?

Thanks!

[HermitGuy3]

Hello! Have you got your crab recently? She might just be exhibiting pre-molt behaviors different than the other crabs. If you wave your hand around her does she react? If she does, I think she is fine. You could put some food nearer to her. Have you calibrated your hygrometer? Hope this helps!

[curlysister]

It's funny, because people talk about 'pre-molt' behavior, but I have never really seen it in my crabs. Sonny will sometimes dig a couple of 'test holes' before he goes down for a long time. But other than that I either haven't noticed or he doesn't do anything differently.
So as HG3 said, different crabs may just have different behaviors. I wouldn't be too worried either, just wait and see what happens.

[coleycoles777]

Hello! Have you got your crab recently? She might just be exhibiting pre-molt behaviors different than the other crabs. If you wave your hand around her does she react? If she does, I think she is fine. You could put some food nearer to her. Have you calibrated your hygrometer? Hope this helps!

So I did try putting the food right next to her and still nothing. However she did slightly move when one of the artificial plants shifted while I was moving the food dish closer. So I know she’s alive but just hoping she’s preparing to molt versus stressing/ dying :/

[coleycoles777]

It's funny, because people talk about 'pre-molt' behavior, but I have never really seen it in my crabs. Sonny will sometimes dig a couple of 'test holes' before he goes down for a long time. But other than that I either haven't noticed or he doesn't do anything differently.
So as HG3 said, different crabs may just have different behaviors. I wouldn't be too worried either, just wait and see what happens.

Okay, thank you for the info/reassurance.I am beginning to learn that,“wait and see what happens”, are common words of advice in many situations here and the over thinker in me is still adjusting!

[curlysister]

Yeah, crabs really are a lesson in patience! LOL!