Pool submerging question...

CrabbySquirrel · Post by **CrabbySquirrel** » Mon Dec 15, 2014 10:44 pm

How long did you have deeper pools before you actually saw a crab fully submerge? I haven't had my new setup for that long (1+ month or so), and no one ever goes in farther than just to take a drink, as far as I can tell.....just wondering what your experience was?

megmaholm · Post by **megmaholm** » Mon Dec 15, 2014 10:47 pm

I've never caught mine actually soaking in their water dishes - they're definitely deep enough for them to if they're interested, and I see sand in there in the mornings, but that's about it. Maybe yours are just going in at night when you don't see them?

CrabbySquirrel · Post by **CrabbySquirrel** » Mon Dec 15, 2014 11:26 pm

perhaps that's it -- but darn, it would certainly be cool to witness that sometime!

megmaholm · Post by **megmaholm** » Mon Dec 15, 2014 11:33 pm

Haha I know how you feel! Hopefully you'll catch them in action soon.

YYWW · Post by **YYWW** » Tue Dec 16, 2014 12:03 am

Disclaimer: this is just my experience, i am in no way recommending you follow my example. Actually i consider this what not to do.
My current pool is a divided acrylic storage bin. The first time i put it in, i'd grab whoever was up and drop em into the SW at the deep end, then close the lid and watch them climb out (and run away after they were out). I did this with every crab, one at a time, until even molters had come up and been snatched by an invisible predator, who was clumsy and happened to drop them into a pool by accident. I was aiming for a "whew! That was close! Now i'm freeeeee" reaction.
So technicallyyyyy i got to saw submerge action immediately

sure every crab would then hide and bury through most of every day, but they would always kick a ton of sub in at night. I saw them frequenting the pool bottoms often and consistently. Now, every time i change the water, they would dirty it up IMMEDIATELY. Both types of water. They have even jumped to the bottom of a pool to "hide" before. Weirdos.

Crabbers unite!!!

Crabinski · Post by **Crabinski** » Tue Dec 16, 2014 12:36 am

For years, I just had those small dishes with ramps as water bowls and would occasionally see one of the guys sitting in one but usually they'd just "wet their feet" or drink. Two months ago, I set up two considerably deeper pools with pebbles and plastic canvas ramps but none of them care a whit. The only one who has actually been submerged is Big Enzo and that's only because he's very clumsy -- he's fallen into both the FW and SW pools either from the top of the 10g when Spidercrabbing or from a vine over the SW pool or by falling backward out of the hanging shell shop

.

I've read that PPs are not that into swimming so maybe that's the reason but then other crabbers post about their PPs loving the water. I think it's the choice of the individual crab as to whether or not they take to the water, just like other animals and people. My mother was a terrific swimmer and loved the beach or a pool whereas I am not a waterbaby at all...I'll force myself to swim as a good therapy for arthritis but count the laps 'til I'm done

.

YYWW · Post by **YYWW** » Tue Dec 16, 2014 1:17 am

O YEA! Forgot to add: my current pools are a rectangle in a corner of the tank. I think they like using the pool to climb up the silicone of that corner, and maybe fall into the pool from there, too. Matter of fact i heard someones crab loves FALLING into the pool. Odd.

Other thing is that both pools had bubblers. Not sure if it makes a diff, but i like the whole motion of the ocean idea. I think having a constant motion or vibration in the water makes crabs comfy.

Crabbers unite!!!

hermieluv1 · Post by **hermieluv1** » Tue Dec 16, 2014 5:06 am

I have deep pools(kritter keepers), and only once saw one of my crabs submerged. It was a brand new guy, just brought him home and put him in the tank. His feelers came out, then slowly waved towards the salt water tank. He literally ran to the tank, climbed all the way to the bottom and sat there for an hour. I like to think that he thought, I am finally back home!

CallaLily · Post by **CallaLily** » Tue Dec 16, 2014 8:39 am

When I had large cycled pools my crabs would often "swim". Most of the Es and many of the PPs too. There were individual crabs that seemed to enjoy it more than others. I think it took them a few weeks to confidently explore the pools though.

Now that I'm back to using uncycled dishes, I don't see them submerge no where near as often.

soilentgringa · Post by **soilentgringa** » Tue Dec 16, 2014 11:14 am

I've seen Groot go all the way to the bottom of the pool and just hang out. The first time I was panicky because I thought she was stuck and couldn't get out so I gently placed her on the ladder at the top. After she went right back in and stayed down, I realized that she'd be okay. I've seen a couple of my other crabs do that as well. I just make sure they can get out easily.

Crabinski · Post by **Crabinski** » Tue Dec 16, 2014 12:37 pm

hermieluv1 wrote:I have deep pools(kritter keepers), and only once saw one of my crabs submerged. It was a brand new guy, just brought him home and put him in the tank. His feelers came out, then slowly waved towards the salt water tank. He literally ran to the tank, climbed all the way to the bottom and sat there for an hour. I like to think that he thought, I am finally back home!

That is so sweet! I can just picture the little guy having fond thoughts of being back at the beach

.

klowns · Post by **klowns** » Tue Dec 16, 2014 10:27 pm

I'd say I catch one of the 6 crabs up right now in the salt water pool maybe every other day. Sometimes it scares me, just last week as far as I'm aware, one of the straws was in there for something like 12 hours. fully submerged, kinda by the air bubbler, so maybe stealing air from there, but it's cool. and the times i do catch them fully submerged, and half of the time they are sitting on or near the bubbler, it probably feels good going through their shell and what not.

Drakezilla · Post by **Drakezilla** » Tue Dec 16, 2014 10:30 pm

I read some where that the saline levels effect their interest in submerging. I've been reading a lot about pools on here and I think it was Sweet P who brought it up, let me go get the link.

ETA; heres the links!

viewtopic.php?t=98098

viewtopic.php?t=100702 ( more in-depth findings to encourage use )

gotta-crab-em-all · Post by **gotta-crab-em-all** » Tue Dec 16, 2014 10:43 pm

The only time I've ever seen mine actually in the dishes were the times I did deep cleans, upgraded to a new tank, or added newbies and I dunked them all in the pools so they would all smell similar to cut down a little on disputes, as per a recommendation from somebody here.

CrabbySquirrel · Post by **CrabbySquirrel** » Thu Dec 18, 2014 9:34 am

OK - interesting! Really seems to differ from crab to crab -- the only "clue" I ever had that anyone had done anything more than dipped their claws in was when I saw Biscuit walking around and his shell looked very wet all over -- could have been some glare, but it's possible he had dunked himself and I missed it.....that's it though -- but I keep watching and hoping!

HCA: Hermit Crab Association