Is my crab dead or molting??

[sophie_rice]

Hi!!
My hermit crab has been *presumably* molting right beneath the surface (not even below an inch of sand. just a tiny bit) for a while. Since the middle of April, like 2 and half ish months, and he is medium sized so shouldn’t he have come up by now? his shell opening is one inch. I’m so worried about him. it does not smell fishy, which I’m told is a good sign he is alive, but when the tank cover is on on colder days… it does start to smell a little. just a bit. he’s molting right up against the under sand part of the water bowls and water keeps him splashing on him, which I’m afraid might’ve hurt the molt. I’m going away in a week or so and I don’t want to leave a dead hermit crab in there while I’m gone in case he starts to smell if he is dead, so what do I do? is it time to dig him up?

[curlysister]

Is he the only crab in the tank?
Can you still see the top of his shell?

[sophie_rice]

He is one of two crabs in the tank and I cannot see the top of his shell

[curlysister]

So he is buried fully? And your sub is at least 2 - 3 times as deep as your largest crab?
I would leave him be.

[sophie_rice]

Hi! I’m so sorry I never responded, unfortunately it started to smell and he did pass away. I’m very sad about it. Thank you for the help!