Possibly naked crab buried! What to do???

[soilentgringa]

1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it? 6" play sand/coco fiber, sand castle consistency

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?
Digital hygrometer 78 degrees F, 81% humidity
3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?
Not right now
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)? Prime and Reef Salt mixed to package directions.

5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced? Every other day. Mixes from Hermit Crab Addiction, eggshells, honey, bits of raw fruit,veg, chicken (raw items cleaned every morning)

6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known? One week, purple pincher

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

8. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they? 4. 2 are ping pong ball silzed and two golf ball sized about to move into 50 gal. This weekend.

9. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any? An assortment of shells (turbos, murex, babylonica, about 12 extra shells in their size range.

10. Have there been any fumes or chemicals near the crabitat recently? No

11. How often do you clean the tank and how? Surface clean raw food and rinse water dishes daily.

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

13. Has anything new been added to your crabitat recently? 3 new crabs

14. 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.)?
I've been leaving them be as I wanted them to acclimate and destress and molt.
15. Please describe the emergency situation
I'm think my new crab went down to molt and was attacked. I'm afraid to dig it up. Its changed shells twice and the third shell just came up with no crab and I'm pretty sure all the are accounted for. I don't know what to do, I'm worried.

[CallaLily]

Chances are he just swapped shells. I wouldn't dig unless absolutely sure he's naked. If you do, be sure to go very slowly and very carefully and have a properly setup ISO at the ready. You didn't mention what size tank they're in now so I'm assuming they're a bit crowded? Glad to hear you'll be upgrading soon.

[soilentgringa]

They're in a 20 gallon right now, a small person spilled iced tea in my laptop so I'm having to use my phone. I found the crab and just dropped two shells in the cave and now it's reshelled and seems to be fine I don't know what happened but Groot seems to be alright.