Limp crab, probably surface molting. What can I do?

[Nakkida]

I've got a crab up on the surface who has gone limp. No smell, but he's not moved in about two days. Just a few days ago I had seen him out and about, eating and dipping into the salt water dish. That's what leads me to believe he's molting. He's not moving, and hanging a bit out of his shell. Have had him for almost a year.

The thing is, I also have other crabs in my 20 gallon tall that are active overnight and I don't want to leave him there on the surface. I do have an iso tank prepared, but I'm not sure I should even try to move him. What do you all recommend? I'd love to get him somewhere safe from the other crabs and into a dark quiet room, and I think I can scoop him out safely, but I am just not sure what the best course of action is for surface molts.

[wodesorel]

I personally would ISO him for safety, especially if you think you can scoop him without disturbing him.

Has he molted for you at all in the last year? Has he surface molted before?

[Nakkida]

He has indeed molted for me. Never surface molted, this is the first time. I was having problems getting the heat up where I needed it to be in that tank, but it's been fixed for a couple weeks now. Humidity is and has been normal. I found him a couple of days ago when I was moving some items. He was in the cork bark hide I have for them, and I moved him temporarily while I worked. I noticed him watching me and thought it was a bit odd that he wasn't going back into his shell while I moved things. Just wiggling his antennae about and watching me. I didn't think anything of it since I have one crab who is pretty brave, but now I think he may have been sluggish because of the approaching molt. I should have moved him to ISO then, but I didn't notice the signs at the time.

Any tips on scooping him out? He's in a good spot for it, I'm just worried as I've not done it before.

[landlubber]

I usually use a big spoon and scoop up a little of the substrate with them, and gently set them in ISO.