Bad Situation.. Move and Isolate?

[TheDivineZero]

I hope this is the right place, and I apologize if it isn't!

This is not my crab, but my cousin's. He has a 20 long with 4 crabs. One of which, Bison, is either extra-large, or a small Jumbo. A few weeks ago, I helped him mix some sand and EE sub. e has about 3-4 inches, as that was all the sand available at the time. Per crab behavior, nearly every crab went under, including the huge crab, Bison. My best guess is that he is molting, because his leg tips were in horrible shape.

He said one crab is still active, maybe 2, and have poked around where Bison is. We are both really concerned. I have an extra 10 gallon, and I have thought about setting it up at his house, and carefully moving Bison over and putting a hide over him. I understand that moving crabs is dangerous, but I'm afraid that since he is so large, he might become a target to the other crabs. He can't see him, otherwise I would have more info to offer.

He has a 55, but I need to get money from his parents for lids and his Ultratherm, otherwise we'd have a bare-bones setup and move the active crab over.

Should we attempt moving him to the 10, or just try and sit tight for him to resurface?

[MsWorld]

What about moving the active crabs over to the 10 gallon and leave Bison alone. It is never a good idea to dig up a crab especially when they are molting. If it was me personally that is what I would do.


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[TheDivineZero]

Thank you! I hadn't even thought of that Yeah, I'm going to talk to him and we'll move the other(s) over!

[KayedeeLove<3]

Good luck hope it all works out! I second MsWorld, never a good idea to dig up molters!

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[soilentgringa]

I would suggest carefully adding substrate at about 1/2 inch per day until it gets deep enough.

You ideally want 3X deeper than your largest crab.

I have 12" of substrate in my 55 gallon tank.