After just over a month of molting, Sandy finally surfaced! I caught her last night in a new shell having a midnight snack. She was MIA this morning, but I think she's prone to digging just for fun because, when I first got her shortly before she started molting, she'd disappear for a day or so at a time.
Is there any special care I should give post-molt? Her first big meal was mealworms, peanut butter, wildflowers, and apple-squash-spinach-quinoa flavored baby food. In hindsight, I probably should've given her more calcium. She does have a cuttlebone, though.
I also didn't see her exo anywhere. Is it supposed to be on the surface? Do I need to do anything with it? I don't know where she was buried, and I can't dig for it anyway because my other crab is molting.
Should I dip her in dechlorinated fresh or salt water? Her shell looked pretty sandy on the outside, so I'd imagine it'd have some sand on the inside, too. Would rinsing her help? I know she's been checking out the shell shop because many of them are scattered about, turned over, and/or sandy, so I'm thinking she may be looking for a shell without sand in it. I'm going to rinse all the shells and buy more just in case!
My first successful molt! Now what?
-
Topic author - Posts: 30
- Joined: Thu Jul 19, 2018 12:39 pm
- Location: Philadelphia, PA
- Contact:
-
- Posts: 3029
- Joined: Sun Oct 15, 2017 10:41 pm
Re: My first successful molt! Now what?
ashleylovesyou wrote:After just over a month of molting, Sandy finally surfaced! I caught her last night in a new shell having a midnight snack. She was MIA this morning, but I think she's prone to digging just for fun because, when I first got her shortly before she started molting, she'd disappear for a day or so at a time.
Is there any special care I should give post-molt? Her first big meal was mealworms, peanut butter, wildflowers, and apple-squash-spinach-quinoa flavored baby food. In hindsight, I probably should've given her more calcium. She does have a cuttlebone, though.
I also didn't see her exo anywhere. Is it supposed to be on the surface? Do I need to do anything with it? I don't know where she was buried, and I can't dig for it anyway because my other crab is molting.
Should I dip her in dechlorinated fresh or salt water? Her shell looked pretty sandy on the outside, so I'd imagine it'd have some sand on the inside, too. Would rinsing her help? I know she's been checking out the shell shop because many of them are scattered about, turned over, and/or sandy, so I'm thinking she may be looking for a shell without sand in it. I'm going to rinse all the shells and buy more just in case!
Yay! They eat their exoskeleton. And I would say not to rinse her. It would just stress her. I would assume they always have sand in their shells. Lol.
raising son's dog, Dante. Husky/hound.
Raising daughter's hermit crabs, Shelder, Paras and Derek. Added 2 more of my own (of course) Pete and Stryper. Former mommy to 2 guinea pigs and beloved cat, Nissi
Raising daughter's hermit crabs, Shelder, Paras and Derek. Added 2 more of my own (of course) Pete and Stryper. Former mommy to 2 guinea pigs and beloved cat, Nissi
-
- Administrator
- Posts: 2115
- Joined: Wed Apr 04, 2018 9:26 pm
- Contact:
Re: My first successful molt! Now what?
You’re doing just fine. If a cuttlebone is available than they have a good calcium source.
Just leave them be. They know what they’re doing.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Just leave them be. They know what they’re doing.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
-
- Posts: 2378
- Joined: Tue Aug 08, 2017 9:56 pm
- Location: Coal Region in Pennsylvania
- Contact:
Re: My first successful molt! Now what?
Congratulations on their first molt! Be sure they have lots of calcium, egg shells and cuttlebone. Some of our crabs will spend hours at a time raiding the food and calcium dishes after molting!
Coenobita Curiosities offering crabby decor
https://www.etsy.com/shop/CoenobitaCuriosities
https://www.etsy.com/shop/CoenobitaCuriosities
-
- Administrator
- Posts: 5010
- Joined: Fri Feb 24, 2012 8:12 pm
- Location: Melbourne, Australia
- Contact:
Re: My first successful molt! Now what?
Pretty much just give her the same care as you would normally, but others advice of offering a few mineral and protein rich is a good idea.
Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk
Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk
|| Avid Aquarist Addict (2007) || Crazy Crabbing Connoisseur (2012) || Amateur Aroid Admirer (2014) ||
I strive to make HCA a welcoming space for all
Infrequently on due to studies, on a little more on in FB group
I strive to make HCA a welcoming space for all
Infrequently on due to studies, on a little more on in FB group