HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Recently I bought 3 hermit crabs, the smallest, Timid, started showing signs of molting so I put him in an ISO tank. He's been in ISO for about a month now and he moved for the first time since putting him in ISO and dug to the bottom of the tank. When looking at him today his shell is under the sand but I can see it due to holes that he's been digging around but if you pick up the tank you can see Timid at the bottom!!! What do I do?? I would like to leave him alone and not dig him up but I'm worried that he doesn't have a shell. I know the body I'm looking at from the bottom is him and not an exoskeleton because I watched him move. Info for environment below:

- he was in a 10 gallon glass tank with 2 other crabs. The 10 gallon tank has salt and fresh water, food changed daily and I give a variety of food, temp kept constantly between 78-80 degrees with a low wattage heat lap (I switch between a day and night time lamp) and humidity is always around 75-80%. I have about 5 in of sand then a eco earth substrate for half of the top so the hermies can decided which they prefer.

- his ISO tank is a 5 gallon, salt and fresh water dishes, also has a food dish with hermit crab pellets and a calcium block. Have about 2 in of sand with an eco earth substrate on top. Because this tank is smaller I have a heater mounted on the side and the conditions mirror the big tank he is from, 78-80 degrees and 75-80% humidity at all times. I spray the sand above him twice a day.

I've only had them all for about 2 months and I really don't want him to die! Please help!!

Hey there!

First off, if his shell is away from him in this situation it's best to gently dig him up and get him re-shelled. He will die without a shell. Especially since he just dug down, no process has started yet and he will not be in any danger.

Crabs also do not need to be isolated for molting. Unless there is an emergency, it is better and less stressful for them to stay in the main tank. As long as they have enough room and resources are good, they will be fine. Your main tank sounds good, so there's no reason he can't molt in there The ISO tank doesn't have nearly enough substrate for him to molt safely anyway. I would also get rid of the pellets, as they do more harm than good. Feed him things like peanut butter, honey, and fresh fruit to give him a boost for molting. Giving him calcium is a good thing so good job with that!

I would gently dig him up, get him re-shelled, and keep an eye on him to make sure he stays in the shell. If he does I would put him back in the main tank. Good luck!


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If its a proper glass aquarium and filled to the appropiate level of substrate please do not pick the thing up, especially if there is a buried crab. Either you risk collapsing the cave, their little cocoon of safety or you can injure yourself through broken glass, silicone failure and then cutting yourself.

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