crab digging by possible molter

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Nov 20, 2007 11:06 am

I brought home Donald about a month ago and soon after burried himself (possible molt). Now one of my lager crabs id digging right where he is. Is this ok, should I be worried. Also have another new tiny that hasnt been seen in a week or two, She somewhere in that tank, but should I try to find her?

hermiefanatic · Post by **hermiefanatic** » Tue Nov 20, 2007 12:57 pm

for your tiny, s\he is probabaly destressing\molting\both. i woudlnt dig her up if i was you. as for the molter, i woudlnt be 2 worried, esp. if he dosent show any signs of aggressian when on the surface. if you are worried though, you can cut a plastic liter soda bottle in half, and place it over the molter. hope the molt goes well!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Nov 20, 2007 2:06 pm

I would leave everyone alone at this point. Only worry if Donald is literally digging up your molter. If he is just near the molter, it should be fine. If he actually digs him to the surface, put the little guy in ISO quickly. Keep us posted!

hermiefanatic · Post by **hermiefanatic** » Tue Nov 20, 2007 2:08 pm

richnsuew wrote:I would leave everyone alone at this point. Only worry if Donald is literally digging up your molter. If he is just near the molter, it should be fine. If he actually digs him to the surface, put the little guy in ISO quickly. Keep us posted!

I agree! you put it in much better words than i did!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Nov 20, 2007 7:52 pm

ya but if you have a crab that is actually trying to dig up a molter, seems to me waiting till that crab has already attacked is just a bit to late for an intervention. since the other crab may have already become a crabby snack. especially if it happens when nobody is home.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Nov 20, 2007 7:59 pm

Perhaps, increasing the protein in the diet of the other crabs should be focused on, so that the desire to attack the molter may diminish (out of nutritional needs)? My crabbies diet is chock full of protein and fruits & veggies and I haven't (knock on wood) had an incident yet. I feed them dried krill, earth worm castings, macadamia nut butter, nuts, bugs& nuts, flora, oats, honey, cuttlebone.... kiwi, pomegrante, pineapple, carrots, sweet potatoes, coconut, oak leaves, and I'm getting ready to try acorns...

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Nov 20, 2007 9:17 pm

I was able to get a good look finally at whats going on. The area that all of this is going on in is a cave under some driftwood and moss, a favorite spot for all. I turned the tank around and got a good view of the "digger", and she is just digging away, no sign of my molter

so that's good news! I will just keep watch and see. Shes a passive, sweet crab and I hope all goes well!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Nov 20, 2007 10:50 pm

honestly a lot of times where a crab digs down isn't where they end up, they tunnel around under there and are often on the other side of the tank from where they went under. Unless you can see from the bottom where they are it's really hard to tell

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Nov 21, 2007 9:59 am

I had no idea that they would tunnel from one end to the other, I'm still new at this. Thats so interesting. I am finding that these crabs are pretty complex creatures and through the stess, theirs and mine, I am having a blast!!!Its a good thing the HCA is around, otherwise I'd be lost! Thanks

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Nov 21, 2007 10:16 am

Oooo yeah, they LOVE to dig, and pile up together.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Nov 21, 2007 3:18 pm

I agree Thalia... I have noticed quite a bit of the time that the mound or the hole that they left when they went down is not anywhere near where they come up.... I think it would be quite interesting to see the network of cubbies and trails that a crab makes under the surface... Kind of like an ant farm of sorts..