Molting Crab

[Emerald Fox]

So my crab Rocky has finally decided it's time to molt. (hopefully his missing leg segment grows back) For a few days hes been digging shallow little areas in the tank so I put him in the ISO tank, but everytime I put him in there he doesn't do anything and then as soon as I put him back in the main tank he would begin digging little pools again. I was really nervous about that because his brother Discord has been MIA for a good while now and I have no clue where he could be. Discord is a small crab so he wouldn't take this long molting would he? Anyway, so today I went to check and see what Rocky was up to and if he might have ran into his brother while digging around and I discovered his exo and him freshly naked and pink in his shell. I immediately placed him back as gentle as I could and put the aquarium cave thing they have back over him. i then misted the tank, dumped the old food, left a piece of cuttlebone, and put a towel over the tank to help keep is as dark as possible and try to keep the warmth in. The way he is right now he is in a hole but not covered so its sort of like a half surface molt?? I'm concerned and would like some help as I have already lost a crab by screwing up his molt by accident. Please help.

[GotButterflies]

When they go to molt, you should never have to put them into an iso tank. Now that he has surface molted it is necessary. Have you filled out the emergency template so that we can figure out why that has happened? Something is not right for them to surface molt. Here is the emergency template: http://hermitcrabassociation.com/phpBB/ ... 27&t=46102

[LadyJinglyJones]

When a crab begins to dig, just let her be.

Even if the holes are initially shallow, most of the time they will continue to go down if left to their own devices - ISO'ing really isn't necessary, even with another crab down. They are comfortable in the familiar surround of their tank, so let them molt there.

The little one may take a while. Try not to worry - they gots to do their own thing, every crab is different. You don't need to check on crabs that are underground.

I have a thought - and bear in mind it's only an idea - that moving the crab back and forth was stressfull to the crab, and perhaps lead to its little body trying to hold off its molt til it couldn't any more, and it surface molted... but it's just an idea and could be entirely incorrect.

It would be a good idea to fill out the emergency form though... making sure your tank is on point is the best way to guard against further instances of surface molts, as well as allay your fears.

http://hermitcrabassociation.com/phpBB/ ... 27&t=46102