What is this?

[wodesorel]

The one that is up in the 10 gallon can be moved over whenever you choose.

If the one in the 2.5 is up and moving normally and eating before you leave, give him a good dunk to bathe him and add him in with the others. There's a good chance he'll be done and active within a week's time.

If he's not, I'd consider popping the 2.5 in the 20 gallon so there's less that can go wrong with your sitter. He'll need a water dish and some food in there in case he becomes active while you're away. One tank with one set of heat and humidity to worry about will make it much easier! In any case, he should not be moved again until he's up and moving on his own.

[Kermie16]

Got it!! Thank u!!

[IBlab crab]

Ok, couldn't wait. Went into panic mode and went ahead and dug up Chime. Found a healthy, post molt crabbie with hard shell, brushed his big pincher and it opened up wide! Also found a small part of his exo leg tip and looks like he also started to eat some of the big pincher exo!!


Here is a pic of him right after I dug him up. I misted him a little with FW, dug a little pit for him, placed him and his leftover exo parts next to him. Is there anything else I needed to do? Had to run out after that. His new big pincher seemed nice and firm and was a reddish purple color (I need an emoji for a huge face of relief!! Lol!)
Also wondering how soon I can put him
In the main tank? Maybe wait a few more days to see if he finishes off his exo? I
Put new bowl of FW and a clamshell full of dried krill and shrimp in his little tank before I left - he has a 2.5 g tank so want to move him ASAP into our 20 g main tank. Thanks!!

You mentioned misting the crab after you dug him up,This is not a good idea.The crabs exo is not completely hardened yet and could cause damage plus the stress.Try to stay hands off as much as possible during the molt and let him do his thing in peace.
I saw no one had mentioned this so I posted.

[Kermie16]

Thanks! No worries, after this experience, I will be hands off at all times in the future!! I did hear him moving around his tank last night so hoping that is a good sign. Thanks for all of the advice, HCA crew!!!

[Kermie16]

The one that is up in the 10 gallon can be moved over whenever you choose.

If the one in the 2.5 is up and moving normally and eating before you leave, give him a good dunk to bathe him and add him in with the others. There's a good chance he'll be done and active within a week's time.

If he's not, I'd consider popping the 2.5 in the 20 gallon so there's less that can go wrong with your sitter. He'll need a water dish and some food in there in case he becomes active while you're away. One tank with one set of heat and humidity to worry about will make it much easier! In any case, he should not be moved again until he's up and moving on his own.

Wodesorel, just wanted to clarify. If the one in the 2.5g isn't moving normally or eating, go ahead and put him in the 20g with the others or put him in the 10 g with his own water and food dishes?
Also, because all of these guys will be post molt, do I need to still dunk them in baths when I put them in the main tank together?
Thank you!!! I really appreciate all of the advice I have been receiving!

[wodesorel]

I would move the entire 2.5 gallon itself into the 20 gallon without disturbing the crab if there is room for it. Otherwise, keep him in the 2.5. Don't move him into the 10, he should be left undisturbed. If he's not ready for the main tank he shouldn't be stressed or handled.

And yeah, since they were both molting and had been apart, a bath would not be a bad idea, especially since you won't be around to monitor the situation.

[Kermie16]

I would move the entire 2.5 gallon itself into the 20 gallon without disturbing the crab if there is room for it. Otherwise, keep him in the 2.5. Don't move him into the 10, he should be left undisturbed. If he's not ready for the main tank he shouldn't be stressed or handled.

And yeah, since they were both molting and had been apart, a bath would not be a bad idea, especially since you won't be around to monitor the situation.

Ahhhh! Ok! Got it! Thank u Definitely no room in the 20 gallon for the 2.5 so will keep him in the 2.5 until he regains strength! Saw him up and about roaming the tank this morning and that he had nipped a little bit of walnut Thank u for ur help, wodesorel!!