Surface Molt Attack!! [4/25 Back-to-Back Molt, w/pics]

[wodesorel]

Talk about fate intervening! I got out of bed to use the restroom and was walking past the hermit crab tank when I noticed a rather peachy colored crab on it's back with another crab on top of it. Surface molter! Ack! And the attacker had managed to rip its shield leg off already.

I hope the poor thing is okay. I moved him to the iso tank with his exo and made him a false cave, but his claw was still springy and he must of just shed. The exo was even still wet and sticky. He also won't fully retract into the shell which I'm not sure is a bad sign or not. The other crab must have been trying to drag him out but I don't think it was going on too long. All I saw was a head and legs during the attack so I don't think there are any internal injuries. I'm just praying that he makes it.

Please cross your fingers if you're reading this and say a little something for this poor guy! I think it might be Wrex, but without getting a better look I can't say for sure.

I'll check in on him in about 2 to 3 days to see how he's doing and if he's eating his exo. Depending on the damage Sunshine might be getting a roommate for a while.

[54chevy]

oh no I hope he'll be fine, and that you caught it (hopefully) in time!

[CrabbyMom33]

I hope he pulls through for you. You were fortunate to catch it when you did.

[Brooksrjones]

They have our wishes, you gonna iso the bully?

[Tamara]

I hope he'll be ok. Do you have any idea why he tried to surface molt?

[MommaChristina]

saying alot of something for your guy, I hope he makes it !

[RedbirdFL]

Poor guy! So glad you were able to stop the attack before it got worse.

[Rocky]

They have our wishes, you gonna iso the bully?

Isn't the guy who got attacked in the iso? Plus the bully probably won't hurt anyone else, but if a crab molts right in front of another crab, I can't blame him, the smell would drive him nuts.
Im SO sorry wodesorel! I hope he's gonna be ok! But if anyone can nurse him back to health, you can! Keep us updated! And let us know when you know who the little guy is He's so lucky you walked by! Talk about your lucky coincidences

[MommaChristina]

[quote="RockyGurly] Talk about your lucky coincidences [/quote]


I'm saying it was a mothers intuition

[Craftycrabber]

Oh my, this story got to all of us!!! This has to be about the hardest part of being a hermit crabber! Hope he will pull through. I wish they didn't have to molt.

[wolfnipplechips]

Yikes! Glad you got to him before he got all eaten up. Sending good vibes for a good molt and possible recovery molt to regrow that leg. Wonder why the little guy surface molted...strange creatures.

[SoulLonely]

Oh, I'm so happy you caught that! good timing to go to the bathroom I hope they pull through okay!

[wodesorel]

Do you have any idea why he tried to surface molt?

Totally my fault. I found him under the water fountain when I cleaned the tank on Thursday. It's molded plastic so it's all open underneath and they often just hang out under there for the day and then come out in the evening. I did ISO him for two days but he just wandered around aimlessly without digging so I figured he was fine and not molting and was okay to go into the main tank again. I guess not. He was normal and active leading up to this, so I really am confused and will be reconsidering how I deal with crabs I find in the future.

you gonna iso the bully?

No. I'm sure she just saw an easy meal and went to take it. I just got the attacker and another crab on Friday so I'm sure that's part of the reason that she took advantage of the situation. (Although there was a bowl of insects eight inches to her left. )

good timing to go to the bathroom

Considering I've barely been out of bed this weekend due to extremely severe back pain and a pulled shoulder I think it's a minor miracle that I happened to find him at all. Thank heavens for my dentist brainwashing me into brushing my teeth before bed to matter what!!

[Tamara]

Hm...well putting him back in the main tank was a mistake, but one you couldn't possibly have known. If you hadn't removed him from where he was hiding, it is likely the exact same thing would have happened, only being under a hollow appliance, you wouldn't have seen it and been able to save him.

I wonder why he wanted to molt underneath there where they hang out in the day rather than digging...

[Rocky]

Hm...well putting him back in the main tank was a mistake, but one you couldn't possibly have known. If you hadn't removed him from where he was hiding, it is likely the exact same thing would have happened, only being under a hollow appliance, you wouldn't have seen it and been able to save him.

I wonder why he wanted to molt underneath there where they hang out in the day rather than digging...

I think they'll molt in weird places as long as they feel safe enough to do so, wolf just had a viola molt in her moss pit, and I've had a guy molt in a flower pot un-buried