Surface molt??
Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2019 1:07 pm
Since you've come to the emergency forum, we know you want a fast answer to your question. In order for us to figure out the problem as quickly as possible, we ask that you answer the following questions. Some of them may seem odd, but they're all designed to give us the information we need to give you a good solution for your problem. Thanks!
1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it? Combo of coarse sand and coconut coir, 6-8" deep
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? Temp 75-85, humidity 85
3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what? Heating pad at either end, light at one end, covered with comforter at night
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)? Fresh (distilled), salt with Instant Ocean
5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced? Daily, variety of mostly fresh organically-grown leaves, fruits, veg, egg, eggshell, various shrimp and dried fish, river shrimp, mealworms, nuts, coconut, peanut butter, sometimes cereal, bread, pancake, all whole-grain organic, etc.
6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known? PP, 2 years or more
7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen? Not in a while, months ago
8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing? 55 gallon tank, plexiglass lid
9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they? 2 - 5 medium to large (haven't seen 3 of them in at least 6 months)
10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any? 3 per crab
11. Have there been any fumes or chemicals near the crabitat recently? No
12. How often do you clean the tank and how? Wipe down inner walls, replace substrate (havent done this since all the other crabs went down to molt)
13. Are sponges used in the water dish? If so, how are they cleaned? No
14. Has anything new been added to your crabitat recently? Plastic fish tank plant like others we've had in there for years
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.)? We mist them daily, don't take them out, provide lots of hiding places, moss, driftwood to climb on
16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail. Medium sized PP is out of shell, but goes back in a little when I mist the tank. Found it like that this am. Has been listless, not eating last couple of days. I've put a bunch of shells around it.
1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it? Combo of coarse sand and coconut coir, 6-8" deep
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? Temp 75-85, humidity 85
3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what? Heating pad at either end, light at one end, covered with comforter at night
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)? Fresh (distilled), salt with Instant Ocean
5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced? Daily, variety of mostly fresh organically-grown leaves, fruits, veg, egg, eggshell, various shrimp and dried fish, river shrimp, mealworms, nuts, coconut, peanut butter, sometimes cereal, bread, pancake, all whole-grain organic, etc.
6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known? PP, 2 years or more
7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen? Not in a while, months ago
8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing? 55 gallon tank, plexiglass lid
9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they? 2 - 5 medium to large (haven't seen 3 of them in at least 6 months)
10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any? 3 per crab
11. Have there been any fumes or chemicals near the crabitat recently? No
12. How often do you clean the tank and how? Wipe down inner walls, replace substrate (havent done this since all the other crabs went down to molt)
13. Are sponges used in the water dish? If so, how are they cleaned? No
14. Has anything new been added to your crabitat recently? Plastic fish tank plant like others we've had in there for years
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.)? We mist them daily, don't take them out, provide lots of hiding places, moss, driftwood to climb on
16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail. Medium sized PP is out of shell, but goes back in a little when I mist the tank. Found it like that this am. Has been listless, not eating last couple of days. I've put a bunch of shells around it.
You have to use the dechlorinator for both freshwater and marine saltwater. Both pools should be deep enough for them to fully submerge in and safe enough for them to get out of. Distilled has no minerals in it whatsoever. 
and all organic. I use only distilled water for misting and wetting the substrate, but can add trace minerals to it. Substrate is sandcastle consistency. I'll try some more insulation and continue to monitor for flooding. I've also been blowing him/her little kisses. Finger crossed she/he keeps getting better!