Buried empty shell? Molting?

[Jojobeansy]

1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it?
About 70/30 Eco earth/play sand, approx. 7" deep
2. Do you have gauges in the tank to measure temperature and humidity? If so, where are they located and what temperature and humidity do they usually read?
Yes, both- rear lefthand corner, temp ~80F, humidity between 68-75 depending on how recently I've misted (I mist once a day,
and have a DIY humidifier running into the tank 24/7); also a stick-on thermometer in the front right-hand corner which usually reads ~74F
3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?
Yes, an ultratherm UTH across the back side, with insulation along the back as well
4. What types of water are available (fresh or salt) and how is the water treated (what brands of dechlorinator or salt mix and what ratio is used to mix it)?
Fresh and salt, using Aqueon water conditioner for both, and Instant Ocean per directions for the salt
5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?
varies- freeze dried shrimp, reptile munchies (both the omnivore mix and the veggie mix), freeze dried bloodworms, fresh organic produce, organic honey, changed out every 1-2 days depending what it is and whether it's begun to spoil or not, and cuttlebone available at all times in a separate dish
6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known?
I'm not sure which crab this is, but they are all PP. Depending which one, anywhere from 9 months-a year
7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen?
All of them have molted at least once since being brought home, and I think this one may be molting right now or freshly molted
8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing?
29g glass tank, with raised levels including a shell shop, large moss pit, and bathing/drinking area, with lots of hiding spots and hanging plastic vines as well, with a mesh lid wrapped in saran wrap
9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?
6- one tiny, and 4 small-medium (really not sure how to determine all of this, but they are all under 1.5" high, with the tiny one approx 1/4" tall- their bodies when out, not shell size... shell sizes I'd say the largest is approximately golf ball sized, although it's a murex so kinda hard to put it in terms of a ball shape LOL)
10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any?
30+ in various shapes and sizes, at least 6 of each size- mostly turbos but a few sharkeyes, babylons, and some others that I don't know what they are as well
11. Have there been any fumes or chemicals near the crabitat recently?
no
12. How often do you clean the tank and how?
I haven't cleaned it yet aside from removing old food and surface poo
13. Are sponges used in the water dish? If so, how are they cleaned?
no
14. Has anything new been added to your crabitat recently?
no
15. Is there any other information you would like to share that might be helpful (anything that is regularly part of your crab care, playtime, bathing, etc.)?
no
16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.
One of my crabs has disappeared, I assumed molting... but the past two days I can see that there is a tunnel that hasn't been backfilled, with an empty shell at the bottom. I am not missing any shells from the shell shop that I can tell, and I am afraid I have a naked crab buried somewhere. I'm not sure what to do!? Do I see if I can dig him/her out and reshell, or just let things be?

[LadyJinglyJones]

According to what I've been told, if you are sure your crab is naked and underground it's recommended that you find & reshell the crab because it will rapidly dehydrate without a shell. In their first hour without shells hermits generally experience a sharp loss of body moisture.

If you can see for sure that a crab has ditched it's shell, careful digging may be your best course of of action.

Also ~ I notice that humidity is a bit low. You want to aim for 80%.

[Jojobeansy]

Thanks, I'm trying!! I am not sure what my problem is, there is always condensation and the sub is flooded at the bottom and always moist on top! I have moist air constantly flowing in from the humidifier, and it even drips sometimes from the moisture in the hose, so I know it's working.

I could smell my poor hermit when I opened the tank today found my naked crab lying next to her shell. Thanks for replying!

[C_fiesta]

Thanks, I'm trying!! I am not sure what my problem is, there is always condensation and the sub is flooded at the bottom and always moist on top! I have moist air constantly flowing in from the humidifier, and it even drips sometimes from the moisture in the hose, so I know it's working.

I could smell my poor hermit when I opened the tank today found my naked crab lying next to her shell. Thanks for replying!

Sorry for your loss! I would be vary wary of flooding substrate (often the result of over misting). Assuming you have no more crabs under, I would change out your substrate (start fresh) and try to keep it sandcastle consistency. Flooded substrate causes serious life threatening issues for molters and can cause big bacteria blooms and methane gas pockets (also deadly). Open a window and change out the sub. You might try keeping the humidity stable by adding a moss pit, bubblers in the pools, and making sure your lid is tight (glass or plastic).

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[Jojobeansy]

Oh no! I have three molting!!! What do I do!? I don't want them to get sick or worse!