HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Now I don't know if he's molting or dead now!!! He said, "dug him up and he was limp. Trying to move his legs to see if there was any movement, while doing so the leg fell off and he (our crab) pulled his other legs back. I immediately buried him. Now I'm curious is he dead or alive!! He said he saw movement but I don't trust his judgment, I don't know what to do!!!

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First off breathe! It's okay, this happens sometimes.

He needs to be unburied immediately. When a crab digs they leave a cave around themselves. When we rebury them we can suffocate them. He needs to be isolated away from other crabs and covered with something solid like a cocohut to block the light.

At that point all you can do is wait. Was there any exoskeleton that was dug up with him? Is he a normal color?

So unbury him even though he was molting??? In just isolate?? No my son says, the leg was attached!! Idk!!! Please respond before I unbury him I want to make sure I have your instructions right. Thank you!!

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And yes he's normal color.

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Omg!! He is alive I am watching him dig himself back to the exact same spot. Hopefully if he's molting it can still be successful. Hopefully he didn't stress him out to much!!! Thank you!!!

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Great! How long had he been down? If it was less than 3-4 weeks he may end up surface molting in the coming days, so keep an eye on him. This is why we recommend to have an emergency isolation tank handy. The other crabs may go after him, so watch closely! With luck he's done or will rebury on his own.

So far they are not paying him any attention[SMILING FACE WITH SMILING EYES] he's only been down since Monday but I'm watching him!!! I don't have an Iso tank but I'm putting a 2l soda bottle around him. Thanks for your help!![WINKING FACE]

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He should have more than enough time to find a new spot before molting then. I was worried he had been down for a while.

Please ask around for a 5 gal tank or check your good will, second hand shops..I was in your spot once I had a crab dig up a molter and wouldn't leave him alone..I did EVERYTHING and he found ways to get to him..He died..I wish I had a iso tank..we had city wide clean up and I found a 10 gal freebie.so now when breeding season happens my girl goes in iso when a crab comes up from molting they go in iso cause I have I have bully crab.

I will check and see!

Small Critter Keepers can also serve as ISO units, especially if the CK can fit inside the main tank -- that way, there are no worries about how to maintain correct humidity and temperature in a stand alone unit.