Should I dig to check on this molting crab?

[anann]

I have a crab that has dug down to molt very close to the edge of the tank where I can kind of see it. What worries me is that there is a 3/4 inch diameter white circle that has formed in the sand there. I don't know what it is. And the little bit of the crab I can see looks like a jumble of legs. I know it's best to leave molters alone, but I am worried that white bit in the sand and what that may be.

I have 8 - 10 inches of substrait which is a mixture of play sand and eco earth.
I have temp and humidity gauges, it's a 55 gal and the ends are generally different but usually range between 78 and 85 degrees and 75 and 95 percent humidity.
UTH on the back of the tank
Both salt and fresh water treated with seachem prime, salt is instant ocean mixed per package instructions, changed every week
2 bowls, 1 fresh and 1 dry bowl. Dry is dried shrimp, leaves, etc replaced every week or when moldy, and fresh is unseasoned food from what I eat mostly fruit with occasional seafood, replaced every few days
I've had them seven months, I think the crab in question is an e but I'm not sure (I have both es and pps, 5 total)
I think this would be this crabs second molt with me, the first one was shortly after I adopted them
55 gal tankwith mostly glass lids but I have plastic wrap over a small portion
5 small to medium crabs
Lots of extra shells, maybe 15-20
No fumes that I know of, I recently cleaned the glass but just with dichlorinated water and paper towels
I do tidying regularly when changing food and water, I've never done a cleaning moving out significant amounts of sand
No sponges
I recently added some new shells but I was already watching this situation when they were added
I don't take them out of the tank but watch them as they move about. This crab is located at the very bottom of the substrate under the water bowls

[GotButterflies]

I would leave the molting crab alone. They dig a large cave when they molt to supply themselves enough oxygen for the molting process. Will type more later


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[GotButterflies]

I have a crab that has dug down to molt very close to the edge of the tank where I can kind of see it. What worries me is that there is a 3/4 inch diameter white circle that has formed in the sand there. I don't know what it is. And the little bit of the crab I can see looks like a jumble of legs. I know it's best to leave molters alone, but I am worried that white bit in the sand and what that may be.

I have 8 - 10 inches of substrait which is a mixture of play sand and eco earth.
GB: Substrate should be at least 3 times deeper than your largest crab.

I have temp and humidity gauges, it's a 55 gal and the ends are generally different but usually range between 78 and 85 degrees and 75 and 95 percent humidity.
GB: Recommended that the minimum is 80 temp and 80 humidity I would not go lower than those. Below that is surviving, not thriving.

UTH on the back of the tank
Both salt and fresh water treated with seachem prime, salt is instant ocean mixed per package instructions, changed every week
GB: Do you have air stones in them? This would help keep your humidity boosted at all times. It also helps keep the water clear.

2 bowls, 1 fresh and 1 dry bowl. Dry is dried shrimp, leaves, etc replaced every week or when moldy, and fresh is unseasoned food from what I eat mostly fruit with occasional seafood, replaced every few days
GB: I would recommend a more wide variety of proteins and food if you can. You can always leave the leaves out. Not only do the crabs live on the beach, but they do venture into the forest also. You can check the safe foods list for ideas, but with e's you need a lot of protein at one time. For example, shrimp, grasshoppers, crickets, mealworms. They have a food pyramid just like ours that needs to be met. They can eat a lot of the same foods that we do as long as they are organic, as they are sensitive to pesticides and fertilizers.

I've had them seven months, I think the crab in question is an e but I'm not sure (I have both es and pps, 5 total)
I think this would be this crabs second molt with me, the first one was shortly after I adopted them
55 gal tankwith mostly glass lids but I have plastic wrap over a small portion
5 small to medium crabs
Lots of extra shells, maybe 15-20
No fumes that I know of, I recently cleaned the glass but just with dichlorinated water and paper towels
GB: You can use vinegar if necessary, but then rinse in dechlorinated water.

I do tidying regularly when changing food and water, I've never done a cleaning moving out significant amounts of sand
GB: That is fine. Deep cleaning is not necessary.

No sponges
I recently added some new shells but I was already watching this situation when they were added
I don't take them out of the tank but watch them as they move about. This crab is located at the very bottom of the substrate under the water bowls

GB: (GotButterflies) Okay, I replied here by responding to your answers this way. Much easier to type on a computer verse an iPad! lol. As previously stated, I would leave the molter alone. It will be fine. They completely shed their exoskeleton and then eat it. Hense why you see the collapsed legs. Not sure what the white is, but mold doesn't harm the crabs unless it is on them. Let the crab molt, come up and then you can clean it Hope that helps! Let us know if we can help you in any other ways! Good luck!

[mool]

If you can see the crab through the glass, that's not good. Tape a piece of black or brown paper over the spot on the outside of the tank to ensure the crab has the darkness and privacy to molt. After taping the paper--don't peak, at all, ever! This 100% defeats the purpose of putting the paper there.

Now, just wait for the crab to emerge.

[GotButterflies]

If you can see the crab through the glass, that's not good. Tape a piece of black or brown paper over the spot on the outside of the tank to ensure the crab has the darkness and privacy to molt. After taping the paper--don't peak, at all, ever! This 100% defeats the purpose of putting the paper there.

Now, just wait for the crab to emerge.

I recommend this as well - because darkness encourages the molting hormone. Good catch Mool!

[anann]

Thanks for your advice. I will go find some opaque paper and cover this crabby up!

[mool]

A brown shopping bag, dark wrapping paper, box board (from cereal, soda, etc) will all work.