Crabs Molting, Not Enough Substrate

[abesze]

So I'm replacing the old sub with the new sub today, but one of my crabs is still buried (he buried himself yesterday). Does it take a few days for the molting process to begin? (Would he be fine if I took him out while replacing the substrate) I just want to make sure that if he is molting, it's successful. I guess my entire question is what should I do to increase the chances of a successful molt if my crab is burrowed in potentially harmful substrate? (The substrate depth is still pretty shallow, but he is covered entirely)

[Hermiesguardian]

So I'm replacing the old sub with the new sub today, but one of my crabs is still buried (he buried himself yesterday). Does it take a few days for the molting process to begin? (Would he be fine if I took him out while replacing the substrate) I just want to make sure that if he is molting, it's successful. I guess my entire question is what should I do to increase the chances of a successful molt if my crab is burrowed in potentially harmful substrate? (The substrate depth is still pretty shallow, but he is covered entirely)

I've read that it does take a few days till they start shedding their exo. Just being covered isn't enough. Substrate being deep enough protects them from other crabs cannabilizing them. They emit a yummy odor when molting.

[abesze]

I've placed a divider in the tank to separate the two crabs just in case, would it be worthwhile taking the crabs out and replacing them with proper, deep enough substrate? Also, can playsand be used straight from the bag? I read on another post that it can

[abesze]

Also, I really appreciate all of your guys' patience since I have so many questions

[abesze]

I have one more question, I haven't added any other extra shells to the terrarium yet because I wasn't sure how I should sterilize them. Some posts I read said not to use metal pots because it's harmful, while others said it's fine. I don't have pots other than metal, what's an alternative way to sterilize the shells of metal is not ok?

[Hermiesguardian]

I have one more question, I haven't added any other extra shells to the terrarium yet because I wasn't sure how I should sterilize them. Some posts I read said not to use metal pots because it's harmful, while others said it's fine. I don't have pots other than metal, what's an alternative way to sterilize the shells of metal is not ok?

Nothing wrong with metal pots. Boil them in dechlorinated fresh or salt water. Then rinse them in dech salt water.

[abesze]

Alrighty thanks. Does the salt water add any benefit? I just rinsed them in dechlor water and one crab already changed into a new shell

[Hermiesguardian]

Alrighty thanks. Does the salt water add any benefit? I just rinsed them in dechlor water and one crab already changed into a new shell

Many people think it attracts them quicker. Guess it smells like the ocean. Lol. But that's the only benefit.

[abesze]

Okey dokey thanks so one of my crabs is still buried , but I can see that he's been tunneling. Is it more likely that he's just de stressing instead of molting? Or do crabs tunnel while they molt? He didn't show any signs of molting before buried himself

[Moe2076]

Crabs tunnel to de-stress, not just to molt, I think some also like to just dig sometimes or they may bury themselves to moderate temperature. I'm pretty new, I've had mine about a month or so and I have a couple that like to dig and that have buried themselves for a couple days and then come back up. I had one I swore was ready to molt and then came back up, it dug in one spot for a day or so and then buried himself pretty deep on the other side of the tank and then came out and has stayed up. Make sure you substrate is at least 6 inches deep or 3 x a big as your smallest crab. Don't dig them out. The molting section has a lot of good information.

[abesze]

Ok thanks!

[abesze]

One of my crabs just fell out of the hammock... is it likely that that can severely hurt him? The hammock is about about 3 inches above the substrate

[curlysister]

No, it is very unlikely that they will hurt themselves falling within a tank.

[abesze]

Ok that's good

[Hermiesguardian]

One of my crabs just fell out of the hammock... is it likely that that can severely hurt him? The hammock is about about 3 inches above the substrate

They're also called tree climbers. They fall out of trees and live to climb another day.