Buried Crab

[SapphireHermies]

So I got a new crab since the one before passed from PPS. I got this crab about 2 months ago in late June. He had the same behavior as my current one who buried immediately, molted, and came up. My two current crabs are small so I figured that if they molted it would be frequent and for no more than 2 weeks which has been true for my surface moving crab who has molted twice since purchase. This newish crab has been buried for 2 months and I'm starting to get concern. I know that this newish one is most likely destressing, but I am curious is this has happened for anyone else and when do I need to be worried. The tank has not smelled like fish or anything dead so I don't think he is dead, but two months for a small crab, I feel is not normal. Thanks for your help!

[FJrocks003]

Probably molting. I've noticed the first molt is normally longer than most. I'd get worried if it were 3 or 4 months for a smaller crab but I have seen crabs down for longer and come up fine.

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[curlysister]

If a crab dies underground, you often won't smell it thru all the sub. That said, he probably is just de-stressing or molting. Don't worry until at least 4 months. And even then, you won't gain anything by digging him up - I mean, if he's dead there is nothing you can do and if he's alive you could harm him. There is also the possibility that he has come up and gone back down without your noticing.

[ROSIEonFIRE]

Yeah I'm gonna second curly here and say that there's no point in worrying about it. Odds are good it will surface at some point but there's nothing you can do either way. Sometimes crabs dont make it. That's just crab life man

[SapphireHermies]

Update: no movement. I live in the desert and are starting to have some moisture issues on the sand. I got more coco fiber and wanted to add it, but I wanted conformation that my poor buried hermie is lost cause or I should still wait. I check the sand every day when I move their food and I have seen zero activity in the sand. Am I clear to dig up the sand and hold a small celebration of life for the hermie?