I'm not sure hes molting or nervise

LunaJack · Post by **LunaJack** » Mon Aug 12, 2013 9:58 am

i have hermit crabs 2 big ones (Steve, Rick) and a small one (Jack). the biggest one follows the little one around. the past couple days he has dug a hole in the damper side of the tank in the corner. i got them all on the same day. i put a little sand on him, my husband read you should put a little sand on him to see if hes ready for molting but he unburied himself. hes a light colored im not sure if im being paranoid or should be ready to move him. an i need to change the sand in the other tankJack in the old cagehttp://i449.photobucket.com/al...ithZack/100_3740.jpgJack in a hole and rick next to himhttp://i449.photobucket.com/al...ithZack/100_3747.jpg

finalfantasyxii · Post by **finalfantasyxii** » Mon Aug 12, 2013 11:25 am

If you have adequately deep substrate you don't have to move him. I wouldn't put sand on him, if he is ready he will dig down himself.

LunaJack · Post by **LunaJack** » Mon Aug 12, 2013 11:45 am

the problem is in the main tank we have that calcium sand, were trying to find play sand for the other tank. the main tank sand isn't that deep. the hes much smaller than the others. in the pics i posted he was with the medium crab

LunaJack · Post by **LunaJack** » Mon Aug 12, 2013 12:29 pm

hes also been in he hole all day and if you take him out you have to be careful because he takes off

Geranium · Post by **Geranium** » Mon Aug 12, 2013 12:51 pm

Playsand can be found in most hardware stores and even Toys R Us. I like Home Depot's Quikcrete best. Sounds like you need to do this sooner than later. Are both tanks you're using glass aquariums? The one looked like a hamster cage, open air which is really not suitable unless your home humidity and heat are excessively high and even then, may not work. What is the heat and humidity like in your enclosure? Calcisand is not a good plan, as you know. The playsand needs deep enough for them to cover completely and then some, the recommendations are twice as deep as you largest crab is tall but a minimum of 6 inches. And it needs to be sandcastle consistency so they can create molting pockets. Never bury a crab or cover it with sand, it will suffocate if it is not strong enough to pull itself out. Humidity is vital to their survival so take special care there.It sounds like you've not had them very long so it is also advisable to not pick them up or bother them for at least a month so they can acclimate and recover. Sometimes you have not choice and have to move them but less is better.There is a ton of really good information pinned at the top of the Zoea section, I suggest reading all of it.

LunaJack · Post by **LunaJack** » Mon Aug 12, 2013 1:31 pm

i didn't completly bury him. it was a rat cage for one day now we have glass tank the tep is at 80 and the humdity is at 80. i sand in the main tank is maybe an 1 1/2 in. its about a 10 gallon. i also have a 5 gallon that we use its about . but my husbands been a little ocd about the tank he removes them every time he does the water and then he flattens out the sand. mine is the less handled one. but i definite want to get the play sand soon. i've also had trouble finding shells for themi've been trying to read what i can but we cant figure out if hes just nervise or getting ready to molt the medium on changed shells the first day we got him. but im a paranoid pet owner. i've always baught books when i got pets.

LunaJack · Post by **LunaJack** » Mon Aug 12, 2013 1:33 pm

also the bigger 2 have been staying on the opisite of the tank and usually all three are together

finalfantasyxii · Post by **finalfantasyxii** » Mon Aug 12, 2013 2:03 pm

How long have you had the crabs?I agree, get some suitable substrate ASAP! Get play sand or Eco Earth from the pet store and get your 10 gal half full of it. Make sure it's moist.http://landhermitcrabs.com/eve...510198 ... -a/133.htm

LunaJack · Post by **LunaJack** » Mon Aug 12, 2013 2:24 pm

about 2 weeks, when we went to get them we went with little info. we keep learning thing every day but the molting seems to be the problem area. some things say use play sand and not the other stuff and vice verse but we went out looking for play sand today and found none close.

LunaJack · Post by **LunaJack** » Mon Aug 12, 2013 2:32 pm

i also don't trust some pet stores i had problems when i got a lizard years ago. tank you guys so much for helping i rather get advice from people who have them and not angry pet store workers

finalfantasyxii · Post by **finalfantasyxii** » Mon Aug 12, 2013 2:47 pm

Welcome to LHC by the way! You were smart not to trust the pet store info.1st priority is getting them enough substrate to bury in. It's the only way they can molt safely! A lot of times they have been forced to postpone their molting for a long time before they get to us. If you don't give them the right sub they will either continue to postpone it which can be deadly or do a surface molt - which can be deadly! If you can't find play sand I would get some Eco earth in there immediately. Tell your husband its hands off for the first month of having them! They are very stressed and need to chill - handling them only stresses them more and they could start dropping limbs or worse. If you have deep substrate, they can molt on their own. You need to leave them alone. Give them the right temp, humidity, something to bury in and good nutrition and they will have to do the rest themselves.

LunaJack · Post by **LunaJack** » Mon Aug 12, 2013 3:13 pm

but i'm going out as soon as i can to get the play sand. the little ones sitting in a hole in the corner at the bottom of the tank. they gave me an attitude said i small tank would cost over a $100 and the sand will kill my lizard, all because they wanted me to buy there pet kits i never went back.

LunaJack · Post by **LunaJack** » Mon Aug 12, 2013 3:15 pm

well hes out of his hole right now.

finalfantasyxii · Post by **finalfantasyxii** » Mon Aug 12, 2013 3:22 pm

Ugh! That's terrible. I wouldn't go back either. Don't give them your money. It's just terrible the pet stores don't take more responsibility for knowing how to take good care of the pets they sell!!!You crabs are lucky to have you. You will have them in crabby heaven soon!

LunaJack · Post by **LunaJack** » Wed Aug 14, 2013 9:09 am

i just got the play sand and wet it. hes dug a little hole but is just staying in the little shelter in the little tank by him self there is a little water and food for him.