If the crab you hope is molting is actually dead?

Stribe · Post by **Stribe** » Sun Apr 02, 2017 1:23 am

I can wait for a molting crab to come up for as long as it takes. But I am thinking that if the crab is dead, way down deep in the substrate where you might not be able to smell it, will he not contaminate the substrate and make the other crabs sick? If you don't know where he has buried himself and didn't get him in an ISO tank in time. Just a thought, I am not having the issue, but I have been thinking about it a lot.

Post by **aussieJJDude** » Sun Apr 02, 2017 1:33 am

Once a bacteria colony has built up in your substrate they will break down the dead crab... so in a way, no it won't.

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Stribe · Post by **Stribe** » Sun Apr 02, 2017 1:42 am

That is really nice to know, thank you!

KayedeeLove<3 · Post by **KayedeeLove<3** » Sun Apr 02, 2017 4:57 am

Hello! Just wanted to add that you do not have to isolate molters. In fact it may cause unnecessary stress. As long as it's not a surface molt they can molt right in the tank

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Vic Future · Post by **Vic Future** » Sun Apr 02, 2017 5:36 am

My guys all molt together. No unpleasantness. I just make sure im abundant in everything. Especially food/shells

I would be scared to dig up a molting crab after everything I've read. Knock on wood it has never been necessary to remove a crab. I only have 3 so i dont have a huge colony. Im sure that presents an entirely different challenge. I run a small operation.

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HCA: Hermit Crab Association

If the crab you hope is molting is actually dead?

If the crab you hope is molting is actually dead?

Re: If the crab you hope is molting is actually dead?

Re: If the crab you hope is molting is actually dead?

Re: If the crab you hope is molting is actually dead?

Re: If the crab you hope is molting is actually dead?