Should you feed surface molters?

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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jgonz97
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Should you feed surface molters?

Post by jgonz97 » Mon Jul 26, 2021 11:20 pm

I have a surface molter right now, he's under a bottle and I check on him every Friday. It's been a month since hes been isolated. Is there a need to provide food/water?

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Re: Should you feed surface molters?

Post by CrabbyLover77 » Tue Jul 27, 2021 1:08 am

Definitely. He needs to have access to calcium and protein, and fresh and salt water. You can use small dishes or lids if there's not much room. Water and food are essential for his recovery.

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Re: Should you feed surface molters?

Post by CrabbyLover77 » Tue Jul 27, 2021 1:09 am

Do you know why he surface molted? Are tank conditions optimal?

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Re: Should you feed surface molters?

Post by curlysister » Tue Jul 27, 2021 9:57 am

At first, they only need their exo to eat. But if it has been a month, he likely needs other foods and water by now.
Is he moving around? Did he eat all his exo?
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Re: Should you feed surface molters?

Post by jgonz97 » Tue Jul 27, 2021 12:13 pm

Im not sure why he is surface molting. He has molted successfully before and my second crab has molted twice and is currently molting again.
CrabbyLover77 wrote:
Tue Jul 27, 2021 1:09 am
Do you know why he surface molted? Are tank conditions optimal?

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Re: Should you feed surface molters?

Post by jgonz97 » Tue Jul 27, 2021 12:15 pm

He has barely moved in the last month. I havent seen an exo at all yet. No fishy smell though so I know hes still alive.
curlysister wrote:
Tue Jul 27, 2021 9:57 am
At first, they only need their exo to eat. But if it has been a month, he likely needs other foods and water by now.
Is he moving around? Did he eat all his exo?

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Re: Should you feed surface molters?

Post by DragonsFly » Tue Jul 27, 2021 2:54 pm

Sounds like it would be a good idea to check all conditions and see if there is some reason he has just weakened.
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Re: Should you feed surface molters?

Post by wodesorel » Thu Jul 29, 2021 2:57 am

I don't offer any food or water until they are up and moving around again on their own. They don't need it, it's the same as if they were underground and only eating their exo.
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Re: Should you feed surface molters?

Post by CrabbyLover77 » Thu Jul 29, 2021 7:12 am

If you haven't seen an exo, are you sure he isn't just hanging out in the same spot (not molting)? If it's been a month with no exo and he's not molting, I'd assume he'd need food/water.

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Re: Should you feed surface molters?

Post by curlysister » Thu Jul 29, 2021 11:49 am

If he hasn't moved in a month and you haven't seen an exo, it doesn't sound like he is surface molting.
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Re: Should you feed surface molters?

Post by CrabbyLover77 » Thu Jul 29, 2021 12:34 pm

curlysister wrote:If he hasn't moved in a month and you haven't seen an exo, it doesn't sound like he is surface molting.
That's what I was thinking too.

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