New hermit crab has not surfaced yet???
New hermit crab has not surfaced yet???
I got two new hermit crabs (my first ones) and put them in their tank a couple days ago. My tank has a high Eco terra tererium substrate mixed with eco terra riverbed sand. When I got her she walked around the tank for a bit and then just dug down, and hasent moved from the bottom of the tank for the last two days, I can see her moving her feelers and claws move ocasionaly. The place I got her from had hardly any substrate so maybe she didn't want to molt there?? I read that they do this to destress themselves but I'm a little worried that it's been so long.
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marandashermies
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Re: New hermit crab has not surfaced yet???
Tim153 wrote:I got two new hermit crabs (my first ones) and put them in their tank a couple days ago. My tank has a high Eco terra tererium substrate mixed with eco terra riverbed sand. When I got her she walked around the tank for a bit and then just dug down, and hasent moved from the bottom of the tank for the last two days, I can see her moving her feelers and claws move ocasionaly. The place I got her from had hardly any substrate so maybe she didn't want to molt there?? I read that they do this to destress themselves but I'm a little worried that it's been so long.
I have had crabs that de-stress for weeks. So 2 days really isn't long. She could be preparing to molt, or just distressing. Regardless, just leave her be and give her peace and quiet
{125g~56g~55g} {30 PPs~ 10 Straws~ 5 Ruggies~ 2 E's~ 4 Viola's~ 2 Cavipes~ 2 Indo's}
2 Handsome Kitties {Rolan & Luka}
http://s628.photobucket.com/user/marand ... t=3&page=1
2 Handsome Kitties {Rolan & Luka}
http://s628.photobucket.com/user/marand ... t=3&page=1
Re: New hermit crab has not surfaced yet???
A couple of days is nothing. It's perfectly normal for a lhc to be under destressing for weeks and if she's preparing to molt, depending on her size and condition, she could be under anywhere from weeks to months. Nothing to be concerned about.
Re: New hermit crab has not surfaced yet???
Ok thank you guys!!! Nice to know that it is normal, my other crab dug for overnight and since has been walking around. I have seen people say that for an unexpected molt in the community tank to not disturb them and just put a cut in half bottle around them so that other crabs can't get to them, should I do this? Or is it better to just not mess around in the tank. (And how long will she go without food in there??)
Re: New hermit crab has not surfaced yet???
As long as you have proper conditions - deep substrate, not overcrowded, varied diet, plenty of extra shells - there's no need to isolate molters. Check out the Caresheet section for more info on proper care. viewforum.php?f=51
They can go quite sometime without surfacing for food or water. They store up nutrients in prep for a molt. They also tend to snack on "non-food" items like moss, cocofiber, wood, and whatever other edible bits they find or stash around. They carry water in their shells plus take advatage of the moisture in the substrate or condensation off the glass, etc. Just keep providing food in their dish (you can switch to dried foods only if you feel too much is wasted) and clean fresh and salt water. Keep conditions right. They'll do the rest. There is also an article in that section that explains molting.
They can go quite sometime without surfacing for food or water. They store up nutrients in prep for a molt. They also tend to snack on "non-food" items like moss, cocofiber, wood, and whatever other edible bits they find or stash around. They carry water in their shells plus take advatage of the moisture in the substrate or condensation off the glass, etc. Just keep providing food in their dish (you can switch to dried foods only if you feel too much is wasted) and clean fresh and salt water. Keep conditions right. They'll do the rest. There is also an article in that section that explains molting.