1st encounter with a molt

erinmix · Post by **erinmix** » Sat Sep 07, 2013 4:43 am

I am new to the crab world. I noticed my crab started digging last week. Now the past couple days he is buried. I did not put him in an iso tank. I have heard to have is tanks and I have read they aren't necessary. Regardless, I can't move him now. He has buried on the upper level. The other crabs are not bothering him right now. There is no food or water on the upper level. Do they need that? Or will he just stay where he is for an entire month? Should I rearrange the tank so the others can't get to the upper level? Should I put some shells up there? I'm a little confused. I just want the little guy to molt successfully and not be stressed too much.

Geranium · Post by **Geranium** » Sat Sep 07, 2013 5:16 am

Yes, he will stay there the entire time of a molt in his molt pocket if he is molting. He won't need food or water during a molt. Tell me more about this upper level? Photo would be good too. HC can climb to places you would not expect in ways that often surprise and baffle. If you can keep the others from him, fine. If not, it usually isn't a problem. I only use an ISO for molting if there was a problem such as a surface molt or a disturbance of some variety. He may want a new shell when he returns but not necessarily immediately. Mine usually change shells before they molt not after.

erinmix · Post by **erinmix** » Tue Sep 10, 2013 11:35 am

Thank you for your advice. It is greatly appreciated. Of course 2 days after I posted this question he came out of hiding so I guess he wasn't molting after all. I will try to attach a pic. Hope it shows up. In the top right corner there's a one upper level and in the middle on the right is another upper level.

erinmix · Post by **erinmix** » Tue Sep 10, 2013 11:39 am

I can't post a picture. says it is too big. I'm sorry