! Molted soft naked unburied hermit purple pincher

Please post here if you are having a crab care emergency! Use a real subject and not just "HELP!"
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CallaLily
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Joined: Sun Aug 03, 2008 9:05 pm

Re: ! Molted soft naked unburied hermit purple pincher

Post by CallaLily » Sat Dec 06, 2014 10:45 am

I'm sorry to hear he will not stay shelled. :( I hope you can get him in one soon. As far as food, all he really needs at this point is his exo but I don't think it would hurt to offer other foods if you chose to. I do suggest trying to bump those temps up to at least above 75F. PPs do best with 75-85F.

I'll grab the link that explains how to share pics...viewtopic.php?t=87783


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Nutcracker
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Re: ! Molted soft naked unburied hermit purple pincher

Post by Nutcracker » Sat Dec 06, 2014 6:09 pm

Hello I have a quick update for everyone who's been trying to help me. Nutcracker is doing rather well today but he is still out of his shell. He has been in his food bowl all afternoon, presumably eating his molted exoskeleton. So in the next hour, I'm going back to the shop that has a large number of small turbo shells, all of which I thought were too small yesterday. I have temporarily collected Nutcracker's large molted claw, which should help with getting the right size. I believe that I had read the instructions about getting the right side incorrectly before last night. I thought I was supposed to get a shell with a one-tenth to one-eighth inch larger opening than the previous shell opening, but on rereading it looks like I should get one that is that much larger than the old claw's size. Anyway, I hope to find the best shell!


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Nutcracker
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Re: ! Molted soft naked unburied hermit purple pincher

Post by Nutcracker » Sat Dec 06, 2014 11:45 pm

:cheer: HAPPY NEWS! Nutcracker is SHELLED! :crabbigsmile:
Here's the funny part - after I wheedled him into about 6 shells (round turbo shells and some oval ones like his old shell), which he either could not carry or did not like, he very intentionally walked right over to his old shell, held his abdomen injust the right fashion, and climbed in! He has been tucked in there tightly for 2 hours now. I am sure that he will need to get over the hassle, so I'll keep a close eye on him tomorrow.
Adding more food, especially the egg and honey. If I have time, I'll make pure PB in my blender. Can I offer him a hard-boiled egg, or does it need to be scrambled?
I bought 7 turbo shells and 3 oval ones like his old shell, so both crabs have a graded selection! Maybe Nutcracker really wants an oval shell. BTW, he remains strong and engaged, and a little purple is starting to show on his large claw.
I will let you all know how he does. You've all taught me so much this week, and our crabs will be better off than before. I have to shout out to the wonderful shop (independently owned) with intelligent animal people that stayed open 2 nights in a row to help our little guy, so I'll be promoting them locally.

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ViiT
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Re: ! Molted soft naked unburied hermit purple pincher

Post by ViiT » Sat Dec 06, 2014 11:57 pm

I'm glad to hear he reshelled! It sounds like he's going to be alright :)

If you offer him a hard-boiled egg, cut it into a fourth or eigth. My crabs love them when prepared that way.
40GB/6 PPs: Heisenberg (M), Hobbles (M), Schrödinger (F), Tesla (F), Icarus (?), 1 Un-named Micro
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KellyCrabbieLove
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Location: Indianapolis, Indiana

Re: ! Molted soft naked unburied hermit purple pincher

Post by KellyCrabbieLove » Sun Dec 07, 2014 9:42 pm

That is awesome news!
#1 rule of crabbing - crabs are weird.
#2 rule of crabbing - see above


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Nutcracker
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Re: ! Molted soft naked unburied hermit purple pincher

Post by Nutcracker » Mon Dec 29, 2014 1:43 am

I have happy news for everyone, one month after the panic above! Nutcracker is completely fine, beautifully molted and hard again. After resuming his old shell for a couple of weeks in our "hospital tank" (that's what I told the kids, so they wouldn't touch it), he took on a new shell with a rounder shape (turbo, unlike before), within a day of my providing a new handful of shells.
Also, our other hermit, Blondie, took just 15 minutes to move into a new shell after I made these shells available. This makes me think that she really did try to steal Nutcracker's shell when he molted, so I've learned my lesson to provide more shells only slightly larger than their current size. I think she may have molted twice, once before and once after Nutcracker's molt.
They are now both very busy, very hungry, and very happy climbing, digging, and wandering around their tank. This emergency is over, and I'm so glad to be able to close this chapter.
I look forward to participating in this forum whenever I need to know something, or need help. You all are the best! I'm so glad I reached out when our little guy was in such danger!
:crabbigsmile:


hermieluv1
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Re: ! Molted soft naked unburied hermit purple pincher

Post by hermieluv1 » Mon Dec 29, 2014 5:50 am

So glad he made it! You did a great job!

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YYWW
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Re: ! Molted soft naked unburied hermit purple pincher

Post by YYWW » Tue Dec 30, 2014 12:51 am

Great job


Crabbers unite!!!

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