Surface Molt and abandoned shell

[Mirithorn]

Hi Guys, I'm new here and generally new to crabbing. I just purchased three hermit crabs from a petco near me about a month ago. I have a ten gallon tank with about three inches of vita sand on one side where my heat lamp is and the same amount of coconut fiber on the cooler side. Two days ago I found the smallest guy upside down by the saltwater dish freshly molted without his shell. I freaked out -of course and threw together an emergency Iso tank with about five inches of the coconut fiber that I had extra in a two gollon tank with fresh water and food and moved him over to it, I was shaking and accidentally dropped him about an inch from the dirt but nothing fell off. He seemed okay so I put his old shell in there with a slightly larger one. I dug a small hole and set him inside of it, and put a towel to cover the tank so he could have darkness. I'm not really sure what to do about heat though I don't have an extra lamp for him so I put him behind the large tank so the residual heat will hopefully keep it warm enough. Any suggestions?

[Mirithorn]

Okay I just checked on the guy Coruthus, and he's darker and has moved into the larger shell. He is eating part of his exo and seems to be doing fine. Changed out all the food and water in case he wants something besides yummy old legs. His antennae were very active when I gently moved him to clean and I'm starting to really get my hopes up he'll survive. He seems to be a bit larger than before so he must be getting enough calcium to finish his molt. No missing limbs or anything. I'm going to keep an eye on him of course. I know this is super stressful and frankly am surprised the even surface molted in the first place. It also seems to be progressing faster than I thought which seems is normal for a surface molt. I'll keep you updated. Wish me and coruthus luck.

[qhjodi]

Hi sounds like your doing right thing I know how u feel I get upset when that happens keep on what your doing and he should be fine
donna

[soilentgringa]

Hi! Can you fill out these questions so we can help address areas of concern? The vita sand is no good for them unfortunately so you will need to get rid of that at the very least. Leave him alone in the dark to recuperate. Surface molts are very stressful.

http://www.hermitcrabassociation.com/ph ... hp?t=46102

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