Emergency!! Surface molter ripped out of shell

GalaxyCrab22 · Post by **GalaxyCrab22** » Tue Nov 29, 2016 11:53 pm

I had no idea Kenny was surface molting. He had to have just done it today. I got home half an hour ago and Diesel has ripped Kenny out of his shell literally two minutes ago. He made it back in himself thank the lord above. But now I have him isolated with healing foods. I just need to know what to do now because I don't want him to stress out anymore than he already has and what steps to take.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Just Jay · Post by **Just Jay** » Wed Nov 30, 2016 12:53 am

oh no! i am so sorry! it looks like you started to take all the right steps. the only thing i can add is making sure he is in a dimly lit place. im sorry i dont know anything for. im sure another member will for you!

YouTube · Post by **GotButterflies** » Wed Nov 30, 2016 8:29 pm

I'm glad that you have isolated Kenny. Make sure Kenny has organic raw honey, calcium (egg shells, calcium carbonate, cuttlebone, oyster shell), and protein rich foods (crickets, mealworms, grasshoppers, chicken). Also provide dechlorinated (prime) fresh water and marine (instant ocean) saltwater. Do you know for sure that Kenny is surface molting? If so, how do you know? Please remember to be as hands off as possible to allow Kenny to heal. Make sure the isolation tank has good temperature and humidity readings also.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

GalaxyCrab22 · Post by **GalaxyCrab22** » Wed Nov 30, 2016 8:45 pm

GotButterflies wrote:I'm glad that you have isolated Kenny. Make sure Kenny has organic raw honey, calcium (egg shells, calcium carbonate, cuttlebone, oyster shell), and protein rich foods (crickets, mealworms, grasshoppers, chicken). Also provide dechlorinated (prime) fresh water and marine (instant ocean) saltwater. Do you know for sure that Kenny is surface molting? If so, how do you know? Please remember to be as hands off as possible to allow Kenny to heal. Make sure the isolation tank has good temperature and humidity readings also.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

His exo was laying right beside him when I found him naked. I have all the things needed but my old ISO tank cracked from banging it accidentally so I'm going to have him in a kritter keeper inside the main tank itself (he is isolated but still has humidity and temp in range) until I can have my mom snag another 10g tomorrow at Walmart.

I also used a spoon to pick him up, no hands used in his care. He knew I was helping and did not struggle as I set up the keeper. As soon as he knew he was out of danger and I was sure he was in his shell I settled the keeper in the tank securely.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

LadyJinglyJones · Post by **LadyJinglyJones** » Wed Nov 30, 2016 9:14 pm

Poor crabby...keep us updated!

YouTube · Post by **GotButterflies** » Wed Nov 30, 2016 9:50 pm

Okay, make sure he has his exo to eat also. That is very important. Any chance you can make his area dark so he is able to destress? Perhaps cover the kk with fake plants? Good luck! I will pray for your baby!

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

GalaxyCrab22 · Post by **GalaxyCrab22** » Wed Nov 30, 2016 9:54 pm

GotButterflies wrote:Okay, make sure he has his exo to eat also. That is very important. Any chance you can make his area dark so he is able to destress? Perhaps cover the kk with fake plants? Good luck! I will pray for your baby!

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Yes he has his whole exo in with him plus caps full of healing foods and sw/fw. The tank is in my closet, which is shaded and darker than the rest of my room plus the light is off all the time in my room so it is mostly dark but I will add a cover for him so it is more shaded and dark.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

YouTube · Post by **GotButterflies** » Wed Nov 30, 2016 10:02 pm

Sounds good as long as temp and humidity are good, he should do well...just needs time

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

GalaxyCrab22 · Post by **GalaxyCrab22** » Wed Nov 30, 2016 10:35 pm

GotButterflies wrote:Sounds good as long as temp and humidity are good, he should do well...just needs time

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

My little trooper!!!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Rawrgeous · Post by **Rawrgeous** » Thu Dec 01, 2016 1:42 am

Great job isoing, and taking steps, I'm glad you found him when you did! Honestly all he should need right now is his exo, after a molt we really want to encourage them to eat the as much as the exo as possible, and then introduce foods. I don't think that offering foods is necessarily harmful, but it is likely he won't eat them anyways until after he has hardened up and finished eating on the exo. I will ask you fill out our emergency template, as a crab molting above ground is usually a sign of underlying problems, or the crab being too weak to dig down. Link: viewtopic.php?f=27&t=46102 It will give us a good idea of your tank set-up and specs. I'm super sorry that your little guy isn't doing so hot right now, but hopefully with some TlC, and time he will be on his way to recovery. With this being such a stressful molt his next one will be super important to his recovery, especially if he underwent any serious injury while being pulled from his shell. As others mentioned keep his conditions stable, (humidity and temp wise) and keep it quiet and dark. Check on him after a few days and see how he's coming.

YouTube · Post by **GotButterflies** » Thu Dec 01, 2016 7:00 am

I agree with Rawrgeous. I would like to add a few things. I would encourage you to keep him warm, and maintain humidity. At first you were keeping the kk inside of your tank. I think that is best if you do not have additional heat sources, when you mentioned your closet, I thought perhaps your entire tank was in there. I have seen people open their closets up to make their room bigger. Also, I would encourage you to not take pictures, and to leave him alone. Remember they normally dig down and are in caves during this stressful time

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

GalaxyCrab22 · Post by **GalaxyCrab22** » Thu Dec 01, 2016 12:45 pm

Day 3:

He has popped out some and has pulled the exo to him so he can eat it. Temp is around 81 and humidity is around 80 as well (my new digital hygro is saying 99 but it's gauged for reptiles I suppose so I have my analog on in as well to get a proper reading until I get it calibrated).

He is moving a little bit, only to eat the exo. KK is on the darker side of the tank plus lid to make it darker but still has the temp and humidity levels in range.

Reminding mom to pick up another tank plus more water before she comes home. Should I set it up and move the KK into it and not physically move him out of it or keep the KK in the main tank to prevent more stress on him?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

GalaxyCrab22 · Post by **GalaxyCrab22** » Sun Dec 04, 2016 8:33 pm

Day 6: 95% of exo is gone, he is up and moving well. I went away to my boyfriend's for the weekend and my older brother monitored the crabbies. I got home and saw he was fairing well!! Gonna keep him in the KK until Friday and then reintroduce him back into the main tank

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Post by **aussieJJDude** » Sun Dec 04, 2016 8:42 pm

Sounds like a good plan, happy that it all went well for you!

NLindsey921 · Post by **NLindsey921** » Mon Dec 05, 2016 1:54 am

When I reintroduced my surface molter my crab Jack tried to attack him. Make sure you dip him in the freshwater to get rid of the molting smell so he is not attacked by other crabs.

Sent from my SM-G360T1 using Tapatalk

HCA: Hermit Crab Association