Newbie looking for info about molting!

[grandlinegirl]

Also how many inches of substrate?
Are they all purple pinchers?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

6 inches of substrate on one side and it graduates down to about 4? All sand with coconut fiber on top.

I was told in my post where I posted their pics that they are all PPs.

[CallaLily]

I would make the substrate at least 6 inches all the way across. Otherwise it sounds fine.
I've had way more successful molts than unsuccessful ones. Once you level that sub, there shouldn't be any reason why they can't be left to molt in the main tank. Providing plenty of extra shells and a good variety of healthy foods (especially protein and calcium) helps reduce the risk of aggression too.

[aldebaron0626]

Just a note, I've only had crabs 3 months so this is not advice, but my 2 small Es successfully molted in 4" substrate in a 5.5 gallon and did not eat each other. Before anyone panics...my 4 (still small) are in a 28 gal hex with 9" substrate.

[KellyCrabbieLove]

Just a note, I've only had crabs 3 months so this is not advice, but my 2 small Es successfully molted in 4" substrate in a 5.5 gallon and did not eat each other. Before anyone panics...my 4 (still small) are in a 28 gal hex with 9" substrate.

Es are known for cannibalism especially when in small areas and shallow substrate. I would chalk your experience up to luck. I am so happy no one got eaten in your tank! Es are a bit different than other breeds. They are still awesome! I love mine.

[CallaLily]

Es are known for cannibalism especially when in small areas and shallow substrate. I would chalk your experience up to luck. I am so happy no one got eaten in your tank! Es are a bit different than other breeds. They are still awesome! I love mine.

I agree. Quite lucky.

[aldebaron0626]

I agree I was lucky too. I was super stressed about them eating each other. I got my larger tank and better conditions ASAP when I figured out it was a problem but they were already under. I kept massive amounts of food on the surface hoping they'd come up and I would catch them before they dug each other up. I caught the first one on the surface a few days before I had my baby and I was able to move him and not worry about the other (another stress, they would come up while I was in the hospital). The other came up a few days after I had the baby. Now they are all subterranean again...

Edit: they were also in calcium sand...

[KellyCrabbieLove]

You must have super hermits.