This reply was in response to a post on "First Shell Change", in which I told them I had dug gently in my tank due to a horrible smell and that I had found Herman and he was alive (still unmolted) and I gently recovered him with loose sand. What about everyone else? Did I mess up? What have you done if this has happened to you and did it turn out okay or was it a disaster? I'm frantic now! Herman is by big, beautiful, gentle baby. The following reply is what I received:
You can tell by the date I joined that I've only been crabbing since December, but I have a thought on the above...
One time I disturbed a molter and then quickly put the dirt back gently- that was the only molt that went bad so far.
Since then I have not only uncovered by actually scooped out and moved 4 molters because I was working on installing a water resorvoir for the stream i put in and they were in the way. I was as careful as could be and they all have resurfaced since just fine.
The main difference between the good and the bad was that I did NOT recover them with soil. Instead I covered them with loose moss from elsewhere in the tank.
Not exactly scientific deduction...maybe someone more knowledgeable will post about it.
The opinion I have for now, is only to use loose moss to cover a stressed crab.
Hope that helps
Dug up Molter? Will He Survive?
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Topic author - Posts: 53
- Joined: Mon Jan 28, 2008 2:03 am
- Location: PA
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Dug up Molter? Will He Survive?
9 PP's and 1 Rug. RIP Willie 4-24-08, Spitz, 5-30-08 & our little friend we never named 9/08
http://www.flickr.com/photos/23401121@N04/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/23357033@N05/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/23401121@N04/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/23357033@N05/
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Topic author - Posts: 53
- Joined: Mon Jan 28, 2008 2:03 am
- Location: PA
- Contact:
Well, I guess no news is good news or else everyone is sick of my posts. ![Embarassed :oops:](./images/smilies/icon_redface.gif)
![Embarassed :oops:](./images/smilies/icon_redface.gif)
9 PP's and 1 Rug. RIP Willie 4-24-08, Spitz, 5-30-08 & our little friend we never named 9/08
http://www.flickr.com/photos/23401121@N04/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/23357033@N05/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/23401121@N04/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/23357033@N05/
Oh please don't feel that way. It's just that this is a very busy forum and sometimes, depending on when you post, your post will get "buried"...so check back and if it does, just "BUMP" it back up.
I disturbed a molter during my deep clean. He's up and about today!![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
So, yes, they can survive being disturbed.
I disturbed a molter during my deep clean. He's up and about today!
![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
So, yes, they can survive being disturbed.
As long as you left him some air room he should be okay. Some crabs like to dig tunnels just to dig (and not molt).
I dug up a molter when doing a deep clean. She was already done molting, so I gently moved her and the remaining exo to an ISO. I just dug a little impression in the substrate and placed her and exo in it. She survived though a bit shy.
I dug up a molter when doing a deep clean. She was already done molting, so I gently moved her and the remaining exo to an ISO. I just dug a little impression in the substrate and placed her and exo in it. She survived though a bit shy.