Flooding?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Nov 30, 2006 1:08 am

Hey,
I just got these crabs at the beginning of the month. It's my first time taking care of them entirely on my own. My mom took care of my crab at home while he molted because I was out of town so I'm not entirely sure what to do.
When I came home after leaving them alone for five days for Thanksgiving, Wilkie was missing. I assumed he was burried and left him. Then the next day I dug around for him just to make sure that he was there. He was. Then tonight two days later, I dug him up again to make sure that he was still alive. I sort of picked up his shell and noticed that there was a red pincher claw in the sand underneath him. I put him back down and burried him back up again.
Tonight I was pouring water into the water dish and I poured way too much in and I'm afraid that maybe I flooded him.
I'm sorry to be so worried. I just don't want him to die.
I also have to take them with me when I go home on the 15th of December so I'm freaking out that he won't be done molting by then. And then I'm worried that I may have messed him up by digging and now flooding.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Nov 30, 2006 1:25 am

The thing I'm worried about is you digging him up. This not only causes stress but you probably collapsed his cave. I'm not sure what to do though, you'll have to wait for a more experienced craber.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Nov 30, 2006 1:25 am

Hi there T-DL,
I believe as long as the water in your tank isn't standing, like a puddle, it should be fine. If the wet substrate isn't right over your buried/possibly molting crab, you could mix the substrate a little, to reduce the moisture. If you do have a puddle, you could scoop out the excess.

I hope this helps. I'm not comfortable advising you about your travels, so I'll let the others, who should be along soon, help you with that.

Best wishes to you and Wilkie!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 11:59 am

Sorry I have not written in awhile but I only have good news to share!
Wilkie is done molting and seems fine! He came up two days ago. I have not picked him up or anything because I want him to feel comfortable again but he was snuggling with Doyle so I think all is well.
Thanks so much for all your help!

BAB · Post by **BAB** » Tue Dec 05, 2006 4:01 pm

PHEW! That's a close one. You most likely dug him up right in the middle or towards the end of his molt. Glad he made it.

I'd definately like to stress that crabs that dig down should be left alone. BUT there are times when they need to be dug up. After that occurs though, please never rebury a crabbie. They dig a certain way to make a nice air pocket in the sand for themselves. The way we have to bury them leaves no air pocket. I'd hate for that to be a way anyone may lose a crab.

As for the water, I've spilled water in my tank before too. Hate that... hehe... I'm such a klutz!

The sand helps to absorb it and as long as it's not like gallons of water, it should be fine.

Then your traveling with them. By plane? Car? How will you be going? You may want to search on this site for "moving crabs" or "travel with crab" or something like that. There's tons of great tips! If you are going by plane you will need to make arrangments with your carrier to take your crabs with you.

Have fun with those buddies! Sounds like they like each others company.