Can I add sand around them while they're molting? Is that too dangerous or is it too late? I can hear the big one (Shiny) scraping around the bottom of the glass tank. I don't know how they got the sand wet but they did so that's good. But it's so little sand I feel terrible. I've also worried that Shiny went down there to attack Tiny but since he hasn't come up, seems he may really be molting as well. We feebly attempted to insert a fence between the two but got scared when it felt like wit might hit something so we scrapped that idea.
We've been crazy about making sure they have they proper temperatures (which hasn't been easy) and fresh food each night but the low substrate is really a problem. If I can add sand to the tank I just need to know how to do it in a way that will not endanger the two molting crabs. Should I put it around the water dish? Will it even make any difference?
UPDATE: Shiny just resurfaced looking the same as before. I immediately took out the water dish and poured more sand under it, which is the dish he dug under. Now I'm worried he did go under to mess with Tiny. Either way, with Tiny still under I can't add sand to increase the level to 6" or whatnot which I really would like to do
Thanks so much. In case it's helpful, below are answers to the questions:
1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it? STERILIZED SAND TAKEN FROM REHOBOTH BEACH
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? LOCATED IN BACK CENTER OF TANK.
3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what? MINI HEAT PAD UNDER TANK near a HEAT PAD ON SIDE, 15 WATT RED LIGHT ABOVE
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)? BOTH. I USE BOTTLED SALT WATER i GOT FROM PETSMART.
5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced? USE A POWDER THEY LIKE THAT I GOT FROM THE STORE WHERE I BOUGHT THEM IN REHOBOTH. SUPPLEMENT WITH "ALL LIVING THINGS" HERMIT CRAB VARIETY DIET, FRESH FRUIT & VEGGIES REMOVED DAILY.
6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known? SINCE MID-SEPT, PURPLE CLAW (CARIBBEAN I THINK)
7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen? ONE OF 3 HAS I THINK.
8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing? GLASS 15 GAL ACQUARIUM, GLASS LID
9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they? 3 CRABS, TWO VERY SMALL, 1 SLIGHTLY LARGER (I DON'T KNOW HOW TO SIZE CRABS)
10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any? 10 EXTRA SHELLS IN TANK, VARYING IN SIZE
11. Have there been any fumes or chemicals near the crabitat recently? NO
12. How often do you clean the tank and how? I SPOT CLEAN USING A SPOON. WANT TO DO A DEEP CLEAN AND ADD SAND BUT SOMEONE'S ALWAYS UNDER THE SAND SO HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO YET
13. Are sponges used in the water dish? If so, how are they cleaned? YES IN BOTH DISHES. I DON'T CLEAN THEM OFTEN BUT WHEN I DO I DRY THEM OUT, MICROWAVE AND COOL, THEN PUT THEM BACK IN
14. Has anything new been added to your crabitat recently? YES A FAKE PLANT
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.)? NO. WE'RE STILL GETTING USED TO THEM SO HAVEN'T HANDLED THEM A LOT. I TALK TO THEM DAILY
16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail. SEE ABOVE
I'm writing again because I need advice on if we're doing what we can to help Tiny finish his molt? We were certain that the larger size crab (Shiny - he's either small or medium) had attacked the small one (Tiny, probably a small) while under the ridiculous 2" of sand. But it turns out Tiny is still alive, 10 days since I last wrote! We are SO relieved. He's been down there (no food or water) for at least 3 weeks, which now I realize is about right for a small crab tho edging on a little long.
