Hazel's faux pas.

tnyfootprntz · Post by **tnyfootprntz** » Fri Dec 02, 2005 5:43 am

It was past time for main tank deep clean, also time for the Petsmart newbies in iso to meet the gang. I had seen every crab "up" at least once in the past few days, so I seized this molt-free window of opportunuty to tackle the job. I decided to stick all but one of my dozen crabs (Pablo's in a different iso) in the 10 gal newbie iso for a Let's Get Aquainted Party. Crowded, but only temporary. Jack (really large, almost jumbo) got aquainted by stomping all over everyone, so I moved him to the big Rubbermaid container of prepared coconut fiber where he enjoyed making tracks all around the edges. So 10 crabs of various sizes in a 10 gal. tank, wavin' feelers and lookin' fine while I undertake the monumental task of a 55 gal. main tank deep clean. This job took me all afternoon, as I had many unexpected interruptions. But finally everything was in place in time to watch Survivor so lets transfer the crabs. My son counted as I lifted each one out from largest to smallest, and when it was finally little Hazel's turn, something didn't look right. She had molted! Right there in the middle of all that activity, not even buried but she just kinda stuck her head in the sand and disrobed (not out of shell, just out of exo) in front of everyone! At first I freaked out and was certain my favorite little baby had been mutilated by one of the bigger guys, but no, she's fine as far as I can tell. Little pink bp and legs wiggled at me from behind the exo as if to say, "sorry, I just couldn't help myself!" This makes prolly about her fourth molt (that I know about!) since we got her in March 2005, but her first topsider. Anyway, I hidey-hutted her and vamped up the humidity by mixing in some weak salt water with the dried out substrate around the coco-hut. Hopefully she'll do just fine, at least she's where I can keep an eye on her.Tsk! Tsk! Hazel!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Dec 02, 2005 6:20 am

I got exhausted just reading about your monumental task! I actually washed and baked my sand once and that was unreal. My house turned into a beach with sand everywhere. I am hesitant to do that again but I have to say that I have had no mold since. I actually cleaned the sterylized the playsand out of the bag as I had had a few mold problems using it before. It says sterylized but who knows eh? Now that I add saltwater to the sand to keep the sandcastle consistency, it seems good. That is so cute about your Hazel. thanks for the story!

Crabby Abby · Post by **Crabby Abby** » Fri Dec 02, 2005 6:37 am

Boy, she musta bummed when you scooped her up and thought YOUR timing was bad! I can imagine your surprise! Funny story. No stopping some of them when the time comes. I hope she does well!Hazel's an awfully cute name for a little hermie!

Bubu · Post by **Bubu** » Fri Dec 02, 2005 6:59 am

I watched Survivor too I had to do a main tank deep clean a little while ago and unfortunatly I didn't notice that Brady, my micro hermie, was molting! I have no idea how I missed him, I only have 6 hermits lol! I was afraid to dig him up, but when I finally did find him (very carefully of course), I found out that he had actually finished molting and was probably going to come up sometime soon. So he was fine, my digging around didn't phase him at all and now he's back to his ol' happy self, following everyone around and pretending he's bigger then what he is

Ren1216 · Post by **Ren1216** » Fri Dec 02, 2005 7:06 am

Imagine that!! That was a funny story... I cant believe she did that. Glad she wiggled a "I'm ok" signal at you. Good luck, Hazel!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Dec 02, 2005 11:36 am

That's so cool! Go Hazel! It reminds me of my dog who always manages to poop right in the middle of the road on the way home from the bus stop!Keep us posted!

Nicole · Post by **Nicole** » Fri Dec 02, 2005 3:30 pm

quote:But finally everything was in place in time to watch Survivor so lets transfer the crabs. LMAO! I hope Hazel at least got to watch Judd scuttle away. "I hope you all get eaten by a crocodile!" Thanks for sharing the cute story.

tnyfootprntz · Post by **tnyfootprntz** » Sun Dec 04, 2005 1:58 am

Glad you all liked my little story . Update - Hazel is doing great, munching exo and already beginning to regain some coloring. She's my little molting pro! I'm thinking about placing a little wad of damp coconut fiber next to her, since the sand she's in (under the hut) is kinda dry. Not sure if I should disturb her, though, since she's apparently doing o.k.?