New adoptee - UPDATE: Successful molt!

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megmaholm
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Re: New adoptee, possible fresh molt and attacked?

Post by megmaholm » Sat Mar 21, 2015 9:00 pm

He's definitely more active today. I did some arranging and have both types of water for him now. I had to move him to switch out the paper towel lining his iso and he wasn't impressed - he held on for dear life. I'm leaving him alone as much as possible. I've seen him drink FW once (not much, but better than nothing), and he's moved from one side of his iso to another several times. No more streaking, thank goodness! I still think that first night he was just too weak and that's why he ditched the shell. He's much stronger, and his antenna are more wiggly which I take as a good sign ;) Still haven't seen him eat much but it's hard to tell if I'm just not seeing it. His color seems a little darker. Other than his missing BP, everything seems okay other than one walking leg which seems a little deformed and missing the tip - maybe damage done from what I assume was an attack?

So, we're not out of the woods yet and I'm still trying not to be too optimistic since I've been fooled before by seemingly healthy crabs. I would be so much more comfortable with this entire situation if he has his shed exo with him, or something comparable. Bah.
Crabbing since July 2014! 75 gallon with 12 Purple Pinchers.

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EmiLovesHermies
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Re: New adoptee, possible fresh molt and attacked?

Post by EmiLovesHermies » Sat Mar 21, 2015 9:18 pm

It sounds like he is doing good, and it is all good signs, thanks for keeping us informed.
Best of luck :)
3 Cats, 2 Chinys, 3 Hermie's, and a Fish Tank. R.I.P. Prescott, Bubbles, Oto, and Tetra, Tetra, Rummy/Captain, Tetra I will always love you.

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megmaholm
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Re: New adoptee, possible fresh molt and attacked?

Post by megmaholm » Wed Mar 25, 2015 1:16 pm

He's much stronger and seems to have a good appetite. I'm going to set up a little bit bigger isolation tank for him today or tomorrow and move him over to it so he has sand to dig in if he wants. I'm worried he'll need to molt quickly to regrow his BP and repair any other damage, and I don't want to risk him surface molting. He acts like he's having a little trouble walking, but I can't tell if it's from him still being a little weak or from his missing BP.

Image

He also sits weird. I'm wondering if he hardened up strangely from being handled while freshly molted. It couldn't be avoided, either by the pet store employees or me, but I hope he straightens back up when molts. Once he's in iso I'll offer him a few different shells, since I know my tapestry turbos are going to be significantly lighter weight than that magpie.
Crabbing since July 2014! 75 gallon with 12 Purple Pinchers.

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EmiLovesHermies
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Re: New adoptee, possible fresh molt and attacked?

Post by EmiLovesHermies » Wed Mar 25, 2015 11:11 pm

Sounds good :)
3 Cats, 2 Chinys, 3 Hermie's, and a Fish Tank. R.I.P. Prescott, Bubbles, Oto, and Tetra, Tetra, Rummy/Captain, Tetra I will always love you.

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YYWW
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Re: New adoptee, possible fresh molt and attacked?

Post by YYWW » Thu Mar 26, 2015 1:04 am

He's a bit derpy and a bunch cute! Is he eating a lot? Is he getting to his waters easily?


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megmaholm
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Re: New adoptee, possible fresh molt and attacked?

Post by megmaholm » Thu Mar 26, 2015 9:40 am

He's definitely derpy! He's the kind of crab where he'll pop out of his shell, go "AHHH!!" when he sees me and tuck back in as fast as possible..and then do it a few more times. :roll:

He's been chowing down on worm supplements and the mineral supplement from THCP the most, but I can tell he's been going through his other foods as well. I've been giving him fresh and SW in bottle caps and I've seen him drink a couple times so I know he can reach them. The first day I had him, he couldn't even crawl into the super shallow food dish I was offering him and then last night he was sitting in it so I know he's a lot stronger.
Crabbing since July 2014! 75 gallon with 12 Purple Pinchers.

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YYWW
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Re: New adoptee, possible fresh molt and attacked?

Post by YYWW » Thu Mar 26, 2015 9:51 am

That is wonderful! I'm glad that lil one has a fighting spirit. You can do it megmaholm! Save the lil guy!!!


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megmaholm
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Re: New adoptee, possible fresh molt and attacked?

Post by megmaholm » Fri Mar 27, 2015 11:51 am

Thanks for the encouragement!! I have a 2.5 gallon tank set up as an iso with as much sand as I could fit, but he can't go in it until Sunday when a lid arrives. I have a clamp lamp above it and the temp is 82 as long as I leave the glass canopy off, so I ordered a screen lid so I can wrap some of it and maintain humidity.

He's still eating. He isn't showing a lot of interest in regular foods, but worm castings and the HCP mineral supplement is a total hit. I figure he knows best what he needs.

So hermit crabs are probably still the most stressful pet I've ever owned, but when I do something right and they do well it's all totally worth it. I'll quit worrying about him once he has a normal molt.
Crabbing since July 2014! 75 gallon with 12 Purple Pinchers.

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Beebalm
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Re: New adoptee, possible fresh molt and attacked?

Post by Beebalm » Fri Mar 27, 2015 12:16 pm

Im glad to hear he is getting stronger. You are such a devoted mom to those crabbies...my hat is off to ya!
Mom to 19 PP in 3 tats: Crabzilla, Big Red, Moby, Red Legs, Bluey, Trooper, Scrabbles, Shelly,The Crusher, Snoofus, Finster, Sheep Guy, Cannoli and 6 more smalls...lets get rid of those painted shells and get a name, guys!

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megmaholm
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Re: New adoptee, possible fresh molt and attacked?

Post by megmaholm » Sat Mar 28, 2015 10:15 am

Beebalm wrote:Im glad to hear he is getting stronger. You are such a devoted mom to those crabbies...my hat is off to ya!
Thanks! :) I love all my guys, and feel obligated to do what I can to give them a chance in captivity.

He switched into a much nicer tapestry turbo last night - it's not as heavy as the magpie so hopefully he can move around easier. I'm taking the shell-change as a good sign..an unhealthy crab, at least in my experience, doesn't go shell shopping. Also, I seriously had no idea a crab could poop that much! It's everywhere. :lol:
Crabbing since July 2014! 75 gallon with 12 Purple Pinchers.

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megmaholm
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Re: New adoptee, possible fresh molt and attacked?

Post by megmaholm » Mon Mar 30, 2015 1:38 pm

I switched him to the 2.5 gallon iso last night and he disappeared underground without even eating, that I can tell. Fingers crossed for a healthy molt!
Crabbing since July 2014! 75 gallon with 12 Purple Pinchers.

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megmaholm
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Re: New adoptee, possible fresh molt and attacked?

Post by megmaholm » Sun May 03, 2015 12:04 pm

Annnnd he's alive! And regrew his BP! he disappeared again overnight but I snapped a couple pics of him first.

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Crabbing since July 2014! 75 gallon with 12 Purple Pinchers.

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Asheka
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Re: New adoptee - UPDATE: Successful molt!

Post by Asheka » Sun May 03, 2015 12:30 pm

Awesome! He's looking great!
4 cats. 1 Dwarf African Frog. 1 amazing fiance. Four PPs; Peeta, Finnick, Katniss, and Rue.
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Re: New adoptee - UPDATE: Successful molt!

Post by soilentgringa » Sun May 03, 2015 2:08 pm

Yayy! What a cute lil guy!

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megmaholm
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Re: New adoptee - UPDATE: Successful molt!

Post by megmaholm » Sun May 03, 2015 4:22 pm

Thanks guys! I've really been worried about him, so I'm super relieved. I don't think he ate anything last night, but he did drink, so hopefully he comes up again soon. Once he's ready, he can join a couple of my other teenies in the 40B.
Crabbing since July 2014! 75 gallon with 12 Purple Pinchers.

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