Should I remove a molter from an insect-infested tank?

Fox · Post by **Fox** » Wed Feb 04, 2015 10:00 pm

Unfortunately when I checked my tank today I discovered what I'm assuming are mites crawling in the substrate. They were so small that I can't even think of anything small enough to compare them too, but there were a LOT of them, EVERYWHERE. I panicked and started to remove all the decor, dishes and climbing walls, throwing out anything I couldn't wash. I did a mass dig up to remove my two underground crabs. The first one was fine, but when I (carefully) picked the second crab up his exoskeleton fell out! I was so shocked that I jumped backwards and hit my head on my TV! It was my first time actually seeing a molted exoskeleton because I've never dug a molting crab before / never had a surface molter, so I wrongly assumed he was dead at first. But then I realized he could be molting and looked in his shell. Thankfully, I saw my crab tucked into his shell with his big claw blocking the rest of him. His claw looked purple and solid, like he'd already finished molting, and upon closer inspection I discovered that part of the molted exoskeleton was missing. I assume this means he started eating it. I fearfully re-buried him in the infested tank, sterilized the decor to the best of my ability and set up a new tank for my other two crabs to live in.

So... Should I remove the molting crab from the infested tank? I know I should never dig up a molter, but which is more dangerous? The stress from me moving him, or the bugs? And since he already started eating his husk / he doesn't look pink, does that mean it's safe to move him onto the surface of the new tank? Or is he still molting? Please help!

YYWW · Post by **YYWW** » Wed Feb 04, 2015 10:09 pm

Unbury the molter. Never bury a crab. You can put him in the new tank in a cup with his exo, mist it and put a lid with holes over it. Leave him in darkness to eat his exo, then ISO him with sub, food and water until he eats and drinks openly.

Crabbers unite!!!

ETA: just put him in a dark place so he can find peace and finish his exo

megmaholm · Post by **megmaholm** » Wed Feb 04, 2015 10:11 pm

I don't know what kind of bugs you have, but maybe this will help you ID them? http://hermitcrabassociation.com/phpBB/ ... 26&t=92537

As far as the one you dug up, I would isolate him if you manage to ID the bugs as harmful ones. If he hasn't eaten his exo, he's not ready to join his other tankmates. I would put him in a tupperware container of some sort in the new tank, with maybe some moss, and then leave him alone until he's finished eating his exo. Keep a lid on the container with some airholes poked in.

If the bugs are harmless, leave him in the tank. Don't ever re-bury a crab - you can dig a shallow pit and place him and his exo in it, then cover that area with something like a large flat shell, or anything that will keep him in the dark. Fully reburying them can cause more harm than good; they can potentially suffocate since there isn't really a way to replicate the molting cave they make.

megmaholm · Post by **megmaholm** » Wed Feb 04, 2015 10:11 pm

Haha YYWW, you beat me to it!

Great minds think alike.

Fox · Post by **Fox** » Wed Feb 04, 2015 10:22 pm

Sorry about reburying him

I just unearthed him and now I'm looking for something to put him in. Thank you for the bug thread, but I'm still not sure what they are. I think they might be (brown) mites because they're the only creatures on that thread that look as small as the ones in the tank. I'll update when I put him in the tupperware. I don't have any moss right now though (I threw it all out once I saw the bugs), so would it be okay to put him in there with nothing else? And what should I do to make sure it's dark enough for him during the day / when I have lights on?

megmaholm · Post by **megmaholm** » Wed Feb 04, 2015 10:29 pm

Sure, you don't need to have moss, it was just a thought to give him something comfy to sit on

Maybe just put a little sand in there for him? Or a damp paper towel. In case he decides to move, that'll give him a bit of traction.

You can keep him in the dark by putting a towel/washcloth over whatever container you put him in.

YYWW · Post by **YYWW** » Wed Feb 04, 2015 10:40 pm

megmaholm wrote:Haha YYWW, you beat me to it! Great minds think alike.

Nice touch with the moss, you!

Crabbers unite!!!

YYWW · Post by **YYWW** » Wed Feb 04, 2015 10:41 pm

Fox wrote:Sorry about reburying him I just unearthed him and now I'm looking for something to put him in. Thank you for the bug thread, but I'm still not sure what they are. I think they might be (brown) mites because they're the only creatures on that thread that look as small as the ones in the tank. I'll update when I put him in the tupperware. I don't have any moss right now though (I threw it all out once I saw the bugs), so would it be okay to put him in there with nothing else? And what should I do to make sure it's dark enough for him during the day / when I have lights on?

You have springtails!!!!

Crabbers unite!!!

ETA: dang! Meg is good!!!

Fox · Post by **Fox** » Wed Feb 04, 2015 10:49 pm

You're right... I do... I just googled them and found this picture:

Which is exactly what they look like. I didn't recognize them in the thread because they're a bit paler in those pictures.

I can't even explain how much I do not want this, no matter how beneficial they are... I'm sure that sounds selfish, but I am really bad with bugs! I almost fainted when I saw them earlier

. If they return again in the new tank I'll know not to panic or try to get rid of them, but I can't say I regret cleaning the tank out today... Except for the fact that I disturbed my poor crab while he was molting.

Anyway, I've placed him in a suitable container with substrate and his exo. Hopefully he'll pull through...!

megmaholm · Post by **megmaholm** » Wed Feb 04, 2015 10:55 pm

Springtails are super beneficial but I understand being squicked out by them.

I have a constant fruit fly infestation and while they aren't harmful to me or the crabs, it drives me absolutely crazy.

Keep us updated on your little guy! I'll keep my fingers crossed for him.

YYWW · Post by **YYWW** » Wed Feb 04, 2015 11:17 pm

The thing issss peope catch and put springtails in the tank

I hate bugs too, and if they were ALL OVER my tat i might stop, drop, and roll, while screaming, and scratch my scalp bald.... But enough about me! I think scoopingthe top inch or two of sub is good enough.
Was your sub initially moistened with FW?
Do you have a mesh lid?
Springtails arent as ugly as mites. Mites are WRONGugly. But a BUNCH of anything is crazy looking. I think if a thousand crabs were writhing around in my tat all of a sudden i would freak, too

Crabbers unite!!!

Fox · Post by **Fox** » Sun Feb 08, 2015 12:50 am

Good news everyone!! Charlie (molting crab) is hanging in there!! He's eaten his entire exoskeleton! I picked him up about a centimeter off the ground just to see if he was still kicking (not sure if that was the best thing to do), and he peeked out of his shell with very active antennae. So now, I have a question: right now I'm using the only two tanks I have available for crabs (one bug-free tank for the two crabs I mentioned in the thread, and one bug-full tank where I've been keeping Charlie's container). I want to clean the bug tank he's currently in, then use it as an isolation tank. While I clean it, would it be safe to put Charlie in the tank with the two other crabs? Or is that dangerous? The two other crabs don't have any history of aggression. And is it safe for me to bathe Charlie? Or should I wait a while? Thanks!!

Fox · Post by **Fox** » Mon Feb 09, 2015 12:08 am

Bump!

YYWW · Post by **YYWW** » Mon Feb 09, 2015 12:19 am

Hey! Sorry i missed your last post. If Charlie is hardened and is able to defend himself as needed, you should be able to dunk him in FW and plop him in the tank.

Crabbers unite!!!

Dom :) · Post by **Dom :)** » Mon Feb 16, 2015 6:48 pm

OK so are these little white mites? If they are those are harmless as could be and cleaning the tank will not help, they always come back. They help clean tr tank and crabs eat them. If they are, you threw stuff away and dug up for no reason

HCA: Hermit Crab Association