Molting in the substrate - Need your thoughts

geckfam · Post by **geckfam** » Sat Feb 07, 2015 11:48 pm

We are new owners and wondering if this is normal...

We have two crabs (type unknown), in a 10g tank. We brought Pancake and Cookie Dough home at Christmas. The first four weeks were all about trying to get the heat and humidity accurate (THANK YOU BONNIE!). No kidding, within 48 hours of getting the perfect temp/humidity, Pancake soaked in salt water for what I think was 24 hours, ate a lot and then rather than crawling into her igloo through the door, she dug a hole under the wall, popped up inside and within 30 minutes disappeared below. That was last Tuesday. The interesting thing that Cookie Dough (our active carbbie) has not been interested in the iglu since then. In the past, they would both hang out in it. Since Tueday, Cookie Dough has been hanging out on the half log, eating, drinking and staying on her own side of the tank. I have heard so many nightmare stories about molting crabs...if Cookie Dough is not interested in that corner of the tank, could Pancake be dead???? I don't want to look under the igloo as I don't want to cause any stress but anxiously waiting to see what is going on. So here are my questions:

1) Is the above behavior normal?
2) If a crab molts under the sub straight, do they need food other than thier exo? If so, how do I get it to her?
3) How will she get water if she is down under? Do I wait until I see her pop up and then move food and water closer to her?
4) How long do we wait before we start looking for Pancake?
5) Does the changing of the shell have to do with molting? Or, are these two different things?
6) Everyone feeds thier hermits something different, what are the bare essentials? I don't think we are doing the right thing. We are feeding a mix of two types of pellets each day, a mix of carrots, apples and sometimes strawberries, I assumed they got protein from the pellets....not sure.

PS - we use coconut (echo) substrate, 4-4.5" deep

Geckfam

YYWW · Post by **YYWW** » Sat Feb 07, 2015 11:57 pm

1) yup... Crabs are weird.
2) no. Molting is natural and awesome. Just let em do their thing. All that soaking and eating is stocking up for molt. Plus they need to eat their exo after molting it off.
3) naaaaa she keeps stored food and water in her molt sac. She also stores water in her tail. Tails get big and puffy right before a molt.
4) like 3-4 months, or in case of emergency.
5) separate, but may occur together. Always offer 3-5 shells per crab.
6) check ingredients of those pellets for harmful stuff viewtopic.php?t=92556 , and read the nutrition guide viewtopic.php?t=92554
Your sub should be a minimum of 6" deep. Fill out the help request template if you'd like to check your conditions. viewtopic.php?t=46102

Crabbers unite!!!

geckfam · Post by **geckfam** » Sun Feb 08, 2015 12:27 am

Thank you for your quick reply! You mentioned that we don't need to look for Pancake for 3-4 months. If this is correct, how do we keep the tank clean during such a long molt. Don't forget, we have Cookie Dough hanging out in the same space.

soilentgringa · Post by **soilentgringa** » Sun Feb 08, 2015 3:08 am

geckfam wrote:Thank you for your quick reply! You mentioned that we don't need to look for Pancake for 3-4 months. If this is correct, how do we keep the tank clean during such a long molt. Don't forget, we have Cookie Dough hanging out in the same space.

It is not necessary to deep clean your tank unless you have a flood or bacterial bloom. Most crabbers just surface clean old bits of food and do their water changes as needed.

CallaLily · Post by **CallaLily** » Sun Feb 08, 2015 9:20 am

I'm not sure what size your crabs are but wanted to say just in case or for anyone else who may be reading, 3-4 months under could be very normal for very large-jumbo crabs. Here's a great thread on molting that will help you to understand it better. http://hermitcrabassociation.com/phpBB/ ... 23&t=92527
Good luck with your first molt! The worry never goes away but over time it does get a little easier.

geckfam · Post by **geckfam** » Sun Feb 08, 2015 11:15 am

Thank you!!! :crabbigsmile:

Crabs unite

geckfam · Post by **geckfam** » Sun Feb 08, 2015 11:17 am

CallaLily wrote:I'm not sure what size your crabs are but wanted to say just in case or for anyone else who may be reading, 3-4 months under could be very normal for very large-jumbo crabs. Here's a great thread on molting that will help you to understand it better. http://hermitcrabassociation.com/phpBB/ ... 23&t=92527
Good luck with your first molt! The worry never goes away but over time it does get a little easier.

Thank you

Crabs unite!!!!

geckfam · Post by **geckfam** » Sun Feb 08, 2015 11:36 am

I forgot to ask one very important question....with Pancake molting down below, what is the best way to clean the tank? Is it ok to surface clean? I would like to keep it clean for Cookie Dough.

YYWW · Post by **YYWW** » Sun Feb 08, 2015 11:42 am

Just pick out old food or moldy spots to keep pests away or mold from spreading. As long as food and water is fresh Cookie Dough will be happy!

️

Crabbers unite!!!

HCA: Hermit Crab Association