new crab too big for shell and stuck!

[lilbitkrabby]

ok, so i just adopted a rab from someone who won it at a fair... didnt know how to take care of it or anything. so as soon as i get it, it goes for the water and drinks for 5 minutes. then i show it the shell shop because it was way too big for its shell, he could not hide in his shell, and you could see his abdomen sticking out. he tried to switch and when he did, hes very swollen, and couldnt pull himself out all the way.. he keeps trying and nothing! what should i do? i dont want him to die because of someones negligence. his shell is not painted, and he is very active.

[PinchersAndShells]

Don't try to force him out. I don't know what else to say, I'm no expert, but I know that.

[lilbitkrabby]

yea, i didnt want to try that because i did'nt know if it would hurt him. right now i'm just hovering and making sure he keeps trying to wiggle himself out. i just do now want him to die in a shell like that...

[Nate the great]

Is it a painted shell?

He could be glued in.

[lilbitkrabby]

no it is a natural shell.

[lilbitkrabby]

its also a turbo shell, i have him isolated with a few shells right now to maybe give him a better chance to change shells. :crybaby:

[lilbitkrabby]

so i placed him back in tank due to him not changing shells yet. and then he dug a hole and buried himself. omg this crab is giving me mixed emotions lol.

[PinchersAndShells]

He could be going down to molt, it could help potentially.

[lilbitkrabby]

I agree, i just really hope he can get out of that shell! he has not attempted to resurface, and he has been down ever since he went under. And as of right now, all of my crabs are under ready to molt.