Evacuating with crabs

[Hermiearth]

Several fires have broken out over Los Angeles and me and my family may have to evacuate very soon. We are prepared to move all of the pets except for the fish, but I was thinking we should maybe leave the hermits. They can be left with a big bowl of food for 24 hours, and of course we will come back to get more belongings and then if it looks like the house will burn. My question- does anyone have experience with air quality and crabs? Will the smoke largely effect them?


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[LadyJinglyJones]

Yikes!
I'll be hoping you, your family & house remain safe! Take care of yourself!

Sealing the tank should help. Normally, if going away you'd leave bubblers on, but I don't think that's a good idea under the circs.

[aussieJJDude]

If i had to do it... this is what i would do...


Wrap the tank with moist towels - and your aquarium - to reduce much of the airborne particles from entering your 'riums (aka fish and crabs).

Have some heat packs handy, which would be useful if you decide to take them with you so some warmth is retained - good for the fish also if tropical. Some totes would also be a good idea - also can double up when not used for the crabs/fish to transport belongings.

Sidenote: If you ever need to move the fish, consider also purchasing a battery powered air pump and make sure that air is running over the media - help retain bacteria, which is useful to avoid a crash of the nitrogen cycle - which can also double as a makeshift air driven filtration equipment until your somewhere safe - aka, worse case scenario house has structural damages or power lines stop working.

Consider if you have a lot of fish/large tank to contain them into a smaller area - like a floating Rubbermaid container with holes drilled in the sides for water flow - so if youdo quickly have to come back all you do is move them to plastic bags/ containers, grab some food/ dechlor and extra equipment if necessary - heaters, filter unit, lighting (if you have plants), water python and leave...
I would also recommend same for the crabs, consider containing them in the larger tank (or remove the bulk of the substrate so they can't bury deeply), iso moulters (if any) and when the time comes grab food, salt, crabs, dechlor (as with fish), heater (if you can get to it easily and quickly) and shells (they are expensive and a PITA to replace, and normally they stored in a small container to easy to grab)...
That way, your not wasting time finding crabs or catch fish(es), and if you plan in advance (aka, already in a box) most of these items are ready to be plopped into the car with ease for a quick in and out.

Also consider stocking up on prime to ensure you have enough - especially important for the fish if the cycle does crash, but also for crabs water.



Good luck, good vibes from australia!

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[wodesorel]

With how fast those fires are moving, I would really think about taking them with you. It does not have to be fancy, a storage tub or lidded bucket with moist moss will work and will be small and easy to carry. Any crabs down can be dug up carefully and placed into individual containers with moss, like margarine tubs.

As for the fish, if they are freshwater and if you can get to a store with hardware supplies, pick up an empty 5 gallon bucket for painting. They are like $3 and smaller HOB filters will fit on the edge so you can get them set up wherever you end up. They make great portable containers, are a decent size for emergencies, and with a lid they don't slosh when moving!

[soilentgringa]

My first year as a crabber, not a month in, half our apartment building burned to the ground.

We ran outside at 5AM after fire dept. kicked our front door in and yelled for us to get out.

If you can get your crabs set up in a tote and get them out safely now, I'd do it. We only had 2 crabs at the time. One didn't make it but the other is still alive, going on 4 years later.

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[GotButterflies]

I didn't read all of the responses, just yours -

First of all - I'm really sorry that you are going through this. If it were me, I would take all of my animals - unfortunately you don't know if you can return or not. Better to be safe than sorry.

Best wishes. I will be keeping you in my thoughts. HUGS!!

[Hermiearth]

Thanks for the support all, overnight the wind died down a bit and it doesn’t look like we will have to evacuate. If we do I will take all the advice here and put it to good use.


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[GotButterflies]

Thanks for the support all, overnight the wind died down a bit and it doesn’t look like we will have to evacuate. If we do I will take all the advice here and put it to good use.


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That's good to hear!

[piratetoothgir]

I am praying for both you, and the safety of your crabs.

[LadyJinglyJones]

Yaaaay for not evacuating! So glad!