Changing substrate for the better

[Crabbymomma71]

So, I have had my 4 hermies in a mixture of Flukers HC sand and EE for the 3 weeks we have had them.
They (most) are always burying themselves for days and when they come up are covered in sticky sand.
Bought play sand but now worry about changing it out since 2 are buried.... ideas?? Thanks so much! Love my hermies!!

[asiankanye]

Since it isn’t an emergency, you could probably just wait it out until they come up.


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[Crabbymomma71]

Since it isn’t an emergency, you could probably just wait it out until they come up.


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Thank you! That’s what I thought too! How long is too long for them to be hiding?

[CrabbyLover77]

So, I have had my 4 hermies in a mixture of Flukers HC sand and EE for the 3 weeks we have had them.
They (most) are always burying themselves for days and when they come up are covered in sticky sand.
Bought play sand but now worry about changing it out since 2 are buried.... ideas?? Thanks so much! Love my hermies!!

Hi there!

Fluker's sand is actually safe for hermits, unlike calcium sands marketed for hermits, so no need to worry. You don't have to change it out if you don't want to (as long as your crabs are under, you can't change it anyway). If you have crabs buried, you can safely add 1" of substrate per day, just don't pack it down.

Since your crabs are new, they may bury to molt or destress. When I rescued my crab Petunia, she went under right away and I didn't see her again for 7 weeks. So don't panic if you don't see them for a while. They probably came from sub par conditions, and will take a bit to get used to their new surroundings.

Welcome to crabbing!

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[Crabbymomma71]

Thanks so much! I want to do right by these cuties! Never thought I would fall in love with crabs

[CrabbyLover77]

Thanks so much! I want to do right by these cuties! Never thought I would fall in love with crabs

You're welcome!
Crabbies are too hard not to love!

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[CombatMist]

Welcome
Being buried is normal even for weeks at a time to molt. They may come out at night. My big shy crab I may not see for weeks. I'm pretty sure he comes out at night but not daily.

Have food and water available and try not to worry.

Sand can stick. I mostly do eco earth. It doesnt stick to everything as much when wet. Nothing wrong with sand

[Crabbymomma71]

Thank you so much! Still down but I’m trying not to worry!
So I am actually going to move them to a bigger tank..... the plan is to move one who is not buried and wait to move the other.... correct?


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[CrabbyLover77]

Thank you so much! Still down but I’m trying not to worry!
So I am actually going to move them to a bigger tank..... the plan is to move one who is not buried and wait to move the other.... correct?


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Yep. You can move whoever is up to the new tank and leave whoever is down in the other tank. As soon as he/she pops up, you can transfer them to the new tank.

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[Crabbymomma71]

Perfect and thank you sooo much!!!


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[CrabbyLover77]

Perfect and thank you sooo much!!!


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You're welcome!

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