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Mites and Molting emergency

Posted: Tue Nov 06, 2018 8:41 pm
by kristalotto
Hi - Ive one hermit crab that I've had for 10yrs. He is molting and has been for longer than normal - like 4 weeks. Yesterday I noticed there were mites in his food and I'm freaking out! Do I check to see if the crab is alive and if he is (praying he is), that I move him so I can kill the mites? I've taken out much of the sand and have baked it at 350 for 40 minutes. Any advise would be awesome!

Re: Mites and Molting emergency

Posted: Tue Nov 06, 2018 8:43 pm
by wodesorel
Mites on food are not the same kind that bothers crabs. Most crabitats will have them, they are wood/grain/food mites and are found in our homes. The crab tank offers them ideal conditions and a food source so they move in, too. Nothing to panic over!

Re: Mites and Molting emergency

Posted: Tue Nov 06, 2018 9:14 pm
by kristalotto
Thank you - ok - so I should not move the crab out of his molting space? Right?

Re: Mites and Molting emergency

Posted: Tue Nov 06, 2018 9:24 pm
by fandt94
kristalotto wrote:Thank you - ok - so I should not move the crab out of his molting space? Right?
Nope leave it be :)

Re: Mites and Molting emergency

Posted: Tue Nov 06, 2018 11:48 pm
by curlysister
Do not dig him up - there is lots of time he might still be down for. If you have had him for 10 years, he must be pretty large. I have had my crabs for 8 years, and they recently molted for over 3 months!

Re: Mites and Molting emergency

Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2018 1:19 pm
by crabby33
I agree with Curly. Don’t dig up your crab. One of my crabs just dug down for her molt and I don’t expect her to be back up until December or January at least and she’s a medium. My male is also going to be burying soon too.