HCA: Hermit Crab Association

I ask because to be honest, I have never ISO'd a molter. I have a colony of 8 in two different tanks, and I've only had one issue with a molt and possible canibalism. I am pretty hands off with the colony in general... we know which ones are OK being handled and we occasionally take them out. The others we pretty much leave be.

I check on them visually several times each day, and I know who is up and who is down, have a good idea who is "napping" and who is actually molting. I always make sure there is plenty of food for them when someone is down, and offer shrimp and krill to "distract" them.

Is this the wrong way to handle a molt?

I personally only iso a molter if I have a problem. I have 13 in a 65 gallon and have NEVER had a problem. All 13 have molted at least once and quite a few have already done their 2nd molt.

How deep is your substrate? If you have enough substrate then you should be okay to leave the molter alone.

I only ISO a molter if they are streaking or surface molting, or if I notice other crabs have unusual interest in a molter.

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GinkoCrab wrote:I only ISO a molter if they are streaking or surface molting, or if I notice other crabs have unusual interest in a molter.

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My substrate is about 6.5 inches in most spots. Except for their "trails."
What does "unusual interest" look like? Would a crab ever dig to get to another molter and attack?
I get paranoid whenever a crab starts digging and I have someone down already. I am worried they have evil intentions and I get the urge to investigate, when they may really only be digging for normal crabby reasons. ? Am I overthinking it?

crabby_D wrote:

GinkoCrab wrote:I only ISO a molter if they are streaking or surface molting, or if I notice other crabs have unusual interest in a molter.

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My substrate is about 6.5 inches in most spots. Except for their "trails."
What does "unusual interest" look like? Would a crab ever dig to get to another molter and attack?

I've had some bullying happen in which case if I know the victim is about to molt I'll ISO him. I've also discovered crabs burrowed together, so I'll usually take precaution amd separate them.

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It isn't necessary to isolate a molter unless there is an emergency. Best to let them do what comes naturally.

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Im glad i read this. I feel if the tank conditions are optimal and food/resources are abundant, cannibalism should be minimal. I am hands off with my hermies. But they share our livingroom so we are always looking in on them. They don't seem to mind us. But it took about 3 months before the bonded pair felt comfortable enough to sleep out in the open. Our latest is a sleep hider. I hope he too will come to understand he will no longer have to be afraid around us.
I will not ISO a crab unless it is an emergency. I hope this is not a mistake.