Super Quiet Crabs...

This forum is where you discuss issues relating to molting hermit crabs, including pre- and post-molting issues. If you are having a molting emergency please post in the Emergency Forum.
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Adastra1018
Posts: 66
Joined: Mon Jan 19, 2015 2:23 pm

Super Quiet Crabs...

Post by Adastra1018 » Tue Apr 05, 2016 5:31 pm

Hello! This post is a bit detailed and long winded so bear with me! :)
I have two medium PP in a 55 gal, about 4 inches of moist playsand/coconut fiber. (Once they come up I can get their new custom pools in and it will be deeper) Heat and humidity are ideal and very stable.

Scurvy, the larger of the two, I've had for about 3 years, Savy is smaller and I got him from work (petsmart) this past summer. Scurvy had molted multiple times with me (he's doubled in size) and Savy has molted once that I'm sure of. He may have done back to back molts, I've seen him 2 or 3 times since I've gotten him and I'm not too surprised by him, he was down for 4 months because of PPS and he just does not come up during the day at all.

Scurvy on the other hand dug down roughly 3 weeks ago and I've not seen any evidence of movement on the surface during this time. Prior to this, I'd hear then crawling around beneath the sand all night but they've been silent for the past few weeks. They are at my grandma's currently and I'm only living there part time so I can't say for sure that they've been like this the full 3 weeks but I'm getting concerned. Of course I won't go digging, if they are both molting I know they'll stay down for quite a while. What really has me worried is that about the time they dug down I found Scallywag (who had been underground for a while) in a hole, dead. I have no idea what happened. He and Scurvy were usually somewhat active especially at night. I got those two at the the same time from a friend who knew about proper substrate and humidity so they weren't in bad shape when I got them.

I give them fresh fruits and some veggies, oats, bloodworms, fish, and meats, though I will admit that lately I have not been able to provide the variety they deserve. They don't have 24/ access to protein but I do keep cuttlebone in there. I've recently made more of an effort to get them more things to eat including millet, seaweed, and nuts and I'm planning on buying some dry mixes from HCP since they don't really spoil.

Anyway, they are just SO quiet and it's unnerving! It's been a while since I've had one actually molting and I'm not used to it. Are they usually this quiet for so long?

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landlubber
Posts: 672
Joined: Thu Oct 29, 2015 2:53 pm
Location: Akron Oh

Re: Super Quiet Crabs...

Post by landlubber » Wed Apr 06, 2016 12:25 pm

If the right location has been found and they are finally actually down to the shedding part of a molt-yes, it will get unnervingly quiet. I'm sorry you lost Scallywag. :( If you want us to try and brainstorm on what might have caused it you could fill out the emergency template, but sometimes these things just happen, no one's fault. I hate mysterious deaths.
6 PPs, 4 Straws, 3 Es * 1 Teeny, 6 Smalls, 4 Mediums, 1 large and 1 Jumbo in a 70 gallon
1 Boxer puppy, 1 Yorchie mutt, 1 cat, 1 ball python, 1 boa


Topic author
Adastra1018
Posts: 66
Joined: Mon Jan 19, 2015 2:23 pm

Re: Super Quiet Crabs...

Post by Adastra1018 » Thu Apr 07, 2016 10:18 am

I'll think about the template. I'm just worried that the death was my fault somehow, like a bad molt from not ideal nutrition. But I'm trying to not let anxiety run away with me and just make more of an effort just in case. It's just hard when I can't be there all the time but it's temporary. Once my fiance and I find a place in the next couple months it'll be fine. Though I don't know what to do if they're still down, I can't move them.

I wouldn't be surprised if they're molting. They may be due for it. The last time was over the summer which doesn't seem like enough time has passed but it's been almost a year already! :shock: Plus there has no evidence movement on the surface.

I guess I just wasn't expecting them to be quiet for several weeks straight!


Topic author
Adastra1018
Posts: 66
Joined: Mon Jan 19, 2015 2:23 pm

Re: Super Quiet Crabs...

Post by Adastra1018 » Mon May 02, 2016 5:03 pm

Just wanted to update, someone came up and took food back into his cave with him! There are tracks allover tank. I can see him in his cave but I'm just going to let him be. He'll come out for the feast I put in there soon enough. :)

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