Crab Molting or injured?!

[Naturesway]

1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it?
Sand and coco coir and it is 6-7”deep


2. Do you have gauges in the tank to measure temperature and humidity? If so, where are they located and what temperature and humidity do they usually read?
Humidity and temp gauge
71 degrees
Humidity reads 93% but when calibrated it was always 3% higher so it may actually be around 90%


3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?
UTH attached to back wall


4. What types of water are available (fresh or salt) and how is the water treated (what brands of dechlorinator or salt mix and what ratio is used to mix it)?

Fresh water pool and salt water pool (instant ocean) and prime in both

Also have a small tray of salt water

5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?
Purchased from online multiple foods from naturally crabby. There is a good source of various foods in the mix dried.
Also available fresh daily is mango, pepper, apple and broccoli at the moment.
Additional dried food from flukers.
Leaf litter of maple tree leaves
Acorn mix ground


6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known?
Have had about a month now and they are purple pinchers. One is larger and other is very young and small.


7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen?
Not since I have had them.


8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing?

I have a 40 gallon tank with a glass lid that can open halfway for easy access. There are extra shells for shopping/changing

9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?
2. One is about a 1.5” opening shell and the other about a half inch opening.


10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any?
I’ve been accumulating shells so right now I have some for each crab. 7 shells in total but more on the way.

11. Have there been any fumes or chemicals near the crabitat recently?
Absolutely not.

12. How often do you clean the tank and how?
Tank is kept daily. Fresh food removed daily and replenished. Water cleaned every couple days.


13. Are sponges used in the water dish? If so, how are they cleaned?
No


14. Has anything new been added to your crabitat recently?
Yes, about a week ago a reptile lounger. Only the larger crab uses. I removed it as I saw a tiny spot touching the sand had mold growth. Even though it’s only been in there for about a week already. Happened over the weekend.


15. Is there any other information you would like to share that might be helpful (anything that is regularly part of your crab care, playtime, bathing, etc.)?
Nothing specific. I do have decor and coconut hurs for privacy for them.

16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.

I have night vision cameras set up on the outside of their tank. Last night I noticed the small one was outside its hut( it usually hides in the hut most of the day). Not as active as the larger one.
Last night it came out and when I saw it it was sitting above the sand. Shortly after it dug a little spot and was partially covered. This morning I can’t see it at all. But I noticed a tiny what I believe is a pointer of a caw sticking out of the sand! I’m afraid if it’s hurt or damaged I don’t know. I touched the top of the sand and can feel that the crab isn’t deep just covered by sand as is sitting maybe an inch down maybe because I felt the hard shell directly under the top layer of sand.

I don’t see why a claw pointer would be sticking out which makes me worried. I know your not suppose to disturb them and let them be. Is this normal? what could be going on and should I leave it ?? It doesn’t seem to allow me to attach a photo from my phone using the editor. It looks like the tip of a dog nail sticking out.
Any help appreciated. Thanks

[JoeHermits]

It could be an old piece of exo that got pushed to the surface by digging. For now I would leave them be, I don’t think there are any benefits to digging here


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