Possible Death Smell [Edit: Bad Ending]

[Tiamat]

First off, thank you for putting up with my paranoia. I realize that my bugging you of my molting issues for 2 months is probably getting annoying when the only answer you can possibly give me is "keep waiting and stop freaking out" and "check your conditions".

Second of all, you people have keep me sane these past eight months. I seriously can't tell you how horrible these last few months were, with university and work and general family issues and health scares, with the thought of my precious crabs being dead on top of that.


Just a few mins ago, I was misting my tank. As usual, I took a good couple of sniffs to check for anything strange, and came to the conclusion that is smells like entering a tropical fish store. That should have been my first clue, considering my usual conclusion is "earthy" or "nursery".

When I got to the section where I believe my hermit crabs dug down into, I was hit with a rather strong fishy smell. It's... I don't know how to describe it, really. All I can say is it smells very different.

Cue freak-out.

Now, the smell doesn't escape the tank at all. In fact, I had to stick my head in a good bit into the tank to smell it at all. However, the scent is so strong I still have it in my nose as I type this. (Not sure if due to freak-out or not.)
Note that this is the side where the UTH is, not sure if that changes things.


Update:
Okay, as I was typing this, I went back to re-sniff. ...I really want to say I was being delusional, but I know I smelled something. Now I'm confusing myself.


Can someone please describe to me this "death smell"? Maybe I was getting the scent confused with something else...? Hopefully...?

I really don't want to dig. I seriously, really, truly don't want to dig and find out my crabs are fine and then end up being the cause of their deaths. However, if I'm right about this smell...

[megmaholm]

The death smell is an unmistakable rotten fishy smell. I've had a crab die while buried and I never smelled anything - not saying it's impossible, of course. Obviously going digging is generally a really bad idea, but I also say go with your gut and have an iso tank ready just in case. I've gone digging before when I suspected a death, and unfortunately I wasn't wrong. Remind me again how long they've been buried? And how deep is your substrate?

[Tiamat]

That fact that you say "unmistakable" makes me think I'm wrong- which is likely a good thing! I've been checking once in awhile, and honestly, this smell is on and off. I get it real bad one time, then the next, it's gone.

Unfortunately, I don't have an ISO tank. To be honest, I'm still shocked my mother allowed me my 29g tank at all. Other than maybe some Tupperware, I've got nothing.


January marks the eight month they've been molting. However, it should be noted that one of them did reappear about a week after it went down, only to dig back under again. No sightings since.
Both crabs are PPs, at the smallish-medium size.

Sub line is at about 7". The lowest measurement I got was 6.5", with the highest at 7.6" towards the UTH side, from left to right.
According to my previous measurements (with the tank at a month old), I think my sub must have settled in, since I had it a bit higher. I should have been checking more often after that, I admit, but I'm too nervous to fix it now. Also, slightly mystified at how one side got so big. I blame Sheldon (he creates literal hills in the tank).

If this helps, I took YYWW's advice I used a meat thermometer to check my temps.- I've got 74*F on the left and 82*F on the UTH side (right). My AccuRite is reading 75*F constant on the left (non-UTH side).

[singlemomwithcrab]

Are all of your crabs down? Remind us how many you have and are all of those the one's that have been down 8 months?

[Tiamat]

Are all of your crabs down? Remind us how many you have and are all of those the one's that have been down 8 months?

I apologize. I have two crabs, both PPs, both smallish-mediums, and both have been down for eight months.
As noted, one did come back up for a week, then went back down. Neither have been seen since.

[singlemomwithcrab]

Tiamat - I hate to be the one to say it but, sweetie - it's time to dig

gently with a large metal spoon, with quiet so you can hear if you hit a shell. Do it in an organized fashion. start on one side. Slide the spoon down along the glass like a shovel and then lift. The thought process is to go down and then scoop. Then filter through each scoop.

[Tiamat]

I had a feeling...

If I were to dig, in case they are alive, how would I set up an ISO? I found a rather deep Tupperware that can use in a pinch...

[singlemomwithcrab]

That will work. Or you can get a small tote just about anywhere right now for about $7.

[MeganM]

Hope all went well!! Fingers are crossed for you.

[Tiamat]

Thanks for the well-wishes.

I have found two rather deep Tupperware, and I'm assuming that although they're not good in length, the depth is what matters most right now.

I plan on using my extra coconut fiber mix that I have lying around, as well as some from the tank itself. This is a rather stressful situation as it is, and I'm guessing having a familiar smell will help the possible-molters.

Do I need pools? Should i stick with small bowls of both waters? And cuttlebone with honey for food, correct?

I want to set up both Tupperware in the main tank itself. Do I wrap the top with plastic wrap and poke holes in it, or just a towel, or...? I understand they need darkness, but how do I go about this? I'm guessing I still need to be able to check on them?


I refuse to dig until I have these questions answered. If there's a chance that one might be alive, everything needs to be set up perfectly.



Edit: Right, I'm freaking out so bad right now. I'm going ahead with the ISO tubs (I will still wait for answers), if only because my hands need to be doing something right now or I will scream.

[megmaholm]

Tupperware dishes sound fine. For water you can do bottle caps or something similarly small. No need for pools, really. Yes, give protein, calcium, and honey.

Do you have lids for the Tupperware? You could poke holes in that, or I would go with a towel for the darkness.

Good luck! Keep us updated.

[Tiamat]

I lost them both. See: viewtopic.php?f=27&t=102545

Thank you everyone!

[hermitcrab24]

I'm so sorry for your losses

[Crabinski]

So sorry to hear your sad news, Tia . Don't be discouraged, though. Your crabitat conditions sound fine so hopefully you'll have better luck with your next crabbies.

[singlemomwithcrab]

I'm sorry Tiamat