Molting Accident

[moonwatcher]

I was cleaning up my tank today and wanted to take my moss pit in the rubbermaid container and dig out some substrate and lower it down a little in the substrate so it was easier to climb into. I dug out a big handful of sand and then my second handful picked up one of my bigger crabs that was molting. I just freaked out. He is in the shell and light colored and never moved. (didn't smell so I know he is alive) so I just dug another hole down in the aquarium and placed him in it and put some sand back on top of him. Was this ok to do or what should I do? I feel just horrible. Any advice is appreciated.

[wodesorel]

Accidents happen!

Never rebury a molting crab. When they do it, they make a little cave around themselves so they can move and get out of their exo. When we bury them the sand can pack them in and trap them while they're too weak to do anything about it. Safest move is to put him into an isolation tank or container that has enough substrate for him to rebury, and then cover him over with something solid to block the light. If he's strong enough he can bury himself in which case you can treat it like a normal molt. If he's not strong enough or at the wrong point in the molting cycle to be moving, he'll surface molt in a secure area away from other hermits.

Did you find any exoskeleton? Usually a light colored crab has recently molted and there should be shed exo somewhere nearby that he needs to eat. If you move him to an iso and can snap a photo, we can usually make a good guess as to where he's at.

[moonwatcher]

I dug him back up and put a little container around him to keep him protected. I'll go out tomorrow and get a ten gallon tank and set it up. I didn't see anything around where I dug him up but could have reburied it in my haste. Thank you! Can you tell by the picture where he may be at in his molt?

[wodesorel]

Freshly, within the last 24-48 hours. There should have been shed exo somewhere - in a pinch you can substitute with eggshell and cuttlebone! He will have zero ability to protect himself from other crabs. If you can and you know there are no molters underneath where he's at, cut the bottom off a pop bottle and shove it down to the bottom of the tank so no others can get to him. If it's a two liter he can even stay like that until he's hardened up and moving around again, just make sure the lid is off to allow for air flow.

[moonwatcher]

I was going to pick up another tank for him tomorrow. I have 4 other crabs and don't want to take any chances. If he just molted in the last 48 hours, how long do you think he will need to be secluded? Is he better off since he has already molted and not in the middle of it? I am very new to all of this.

[wodesorel]

Another week or two by himself, for safety. They take around a week to harden and finish eating what's left of their exoskeleton, and then will often want to rebury for a few more weeks like if it had been a normal molt. They zone out underground for a while before the shed, and then again after the shed, before they rejoin the surface world. It takes a while for their strength to return, and if other hermits get to them before they are completely recovered, they aren't able to defend themselves or the shell they are wearing. I've lost crabs or had them injured from being stupid and rushing them back to the main tank too soon. It never hurts to iso for a little longer than what you think is needed.

You did catch him at a better time. A day or two sooner and he could have been deformed or killed if he was in the act of physically shedding the exo. It would have been better if he was at the very start or very end because then he would have just reburied on his own and been fine, but he should make a full recovery. He might even choose to rebury himself overnight, so if you find a pile of sand under his container in the morning, just leave him go. With his coloration though he should still be sitting where you put him.

Supplementation will be important so he can stock up for his next molt. They eat their own shed to regain lost minerals, so when that's missing it takes a bigger toll. Eggshell and cuttlebone help, but they aren't an exact match. He'll also get what he needs from whole insects and crustaceans once he's back to moving around and eating normal food again.

[moonwatcher]

Thank you so much!

[cartash86]

I feel absolutely horrible after reading all of this. I had no idea what to do and what not to do and now im afraid I might have killed mine. Im praying he's still alive when i get home so i can isolate him. One question i have is exo in a plastic bag because i removed it not knowing, can i just put it back with him?

[TungTran]

I feel absolutely horrible after reading all of this. I had no idea what to do and what not to do and now im afraid I might have killed mine. Im praying he's still alive when i get home so i can isolate him. One question i have is exo in a plastic bag because i removed it not knowing, can i just put it back with him?

Yes you can put it back but you must do it asap and iso him with his exoskeleton