Attacked while molting-Full Circle 3/4

[CrabbyMom33]

Looks like he's doing well!

[RedbirdFL]

Aw, sweet, brave, little thing! Glad to hear he's doing ok.

[Careyenz]

I was getting ready to take Fasty out of his tank for daily dinner and dip, and couldn't find him. He's dug down into the moss and EE in his tank. He's not under far, probably due to his injuries. He can't be anywhere near molting because his gel buds are so small, and he ate like a horse last night. Should I pull him out to eat or let him be? He seems to really enjoy his time in the water and food bowls.

[CrabbyMom33]

Can he get around enough in the tank to get to food and water on his own? If so, I think I'd let him be for tonight and see if he comes out on his own. Normally I think they dig down about the time the gel buds form and let them finish forming while under.

[wodesorel]

For a normal molt they'll often bury before the gel limbs even form. Sunshine was ready to be covered and be left alone a week before she had any gel limbs, and it was another week until she molted.

That he was able to get himself covered is either a sign he's destressing, seaking cover for the day, or he is setting up for a molt. (Which can be 2 or 3 weeks from now - remember that they sit underground for a long before the actual molt.) Since he's mobile enough to get to cover, keep an eye on him to make sure he doesn't get stuck and offer him food and water that he can get to when he wants it.

[Careyenz]

He's been eating so much lately that I was wondering if he was fattening himself up. He sat in the food dish for almost two hours last night. Every time I'd go to take him out, he was still munching away. He is mobile enough to get food and water on his own now- he just doesn't seem to. His food and water dishes are never touched. I think in some regard he did get spoiled with all the 1 on 1 special food treatment he was getting. I'll keep refreshing them, though, in case he comes up hungry. Should I cover the spot he went under with a coco hut? I can just see the tip of his shell still. I'm a little nervous letting nature take its course!

[CrabbyMom33]

The concern I would have with covering the area this soon is that in the fox shell it may be very hard for him to get through the opening with only a couple of legs. If anything, maybe put some more moss on top to make it darker, but it's something he should be able to get through pretty easily. I totally understand you being anxious about letting nature take its course! When we invest the time and emotion into the one on one care it's hard to back off when they are ready to take care of things on their own.

[Careyenz]

Fasty molted! I was freshening the food in his ISO, and felt the moss to see how moist it was. I lightly lifted it up, and there was Fasty in a little hole under the moss. His exo was gone, so I had to take a quick peek without moving him. His color looks great, and he's got a perfectly formed teeny BP! Of course he was curled up, but I'm so excited! My son is beside himself to hear that Fasty grew back his legs. I can't wait til he's up and about! Thanks to all of you for your advice and well wishes! I finally feel like we are coming out of the woods now!

[CrabbyMom33]

Yay for Fasty!!! And great job, Careyenz!

[kuza]

wow awesome, gj!

[Happy Crabber]

WOW! Can't wait for a pic of that mini claw. I'm so glad he's doing well.

[Careyenz]

Fasty is still destressing. I was able to snap a quick pic of his little pincher. He was out of his shell a little bit so I could see all his legs grew back. He's definitely lost a lot of size. The limbs that grew back are really undersized. I imagine we will go through another month of lots of eating and then a quick molt.
Can't wait to really see him out and about!

[wodesorel]

That claw looks really good. Compared to the toothpicks that grew in on my PP, Fasty looks almost normal.

I am so happy to hear he molted!!!

[Careyenz]

Fasty is up and about! He's active and exploring his Iso. He came out yesterday, and seemed ready for his first photo shoot since he was attacked! All his limbs have gown back, including his BP and LP. they are definitely mini sized. His new legs are about half the size of his old ones. The two left legs were all he had left after his molting attack. He's eating and drinking now, and seems to have the old Fasty spunk. There is a small dark spot on his first right leg. I'm hoping it's nothing serious, because he seems so be doing so well. He has lost a ton of size. I put smaller shells in the tat hoping he will switch into something lighter. The first pic is from about a month before he was attacked.
Before:

After:






I'm hoping this gives hope to some people who experience this much catastrophic damage. These guys are fighters, and Fasty never lost his spark!

[kuza]

wow he looks like a whole new crab, gj!