Digging up crab?

[myllkti]

So, one of my crabs, the biggest one, is super stressed all the time because of some mistakes we’ve made back when we were beginners. We’re trying to let him calm down and stuff, but one of his main stress relief strategies is digging, so he’s always buried. Now, it’s time to change the substrate and do a deep clean. We’ve been trying to wait for him to come out on his own, but it’s just not happening. We know he’s not molting because this year’s molt already passed (we saw his exo and everything). Is it okay to dig him up so we can clean out the tank?

[The Crab Maid]

They can molt multiple times a year, especially when younger. Are you 100% he’s not molting?

[myllkti]

Yeah, he’s a medium or large crab, so I don’t think he would need many molts, he hasn’t been showing other molt signs, no exo either

[The Crab Maid]

If you’re sure, it’s not a problem. But you also don’t have to clean much if the tank is properly set up. Many don’t even deep clean unless there is a bacterial or mold bloom. I use isopods.

[myllkti]

Ok, thank you for the advice! This time we’ll start using isopods too, then. Unfortunately, we’ll just deep clean one more time because the substrate has gotten dirty without the isopods and with us experimenting with leaving food outside the bowl to stimulate the hermies.

[Sarah128]

Couldn't you just clean the top inch or so?

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[curlysister]

I would NOT dig up a crab. You don't know if he is molting or not. Even if he isn't molting, it will cause stress to dig him up. The only times it is recommended to dig up a crab is in an emergency such as a bacterial bloom or a flood.

In the almost 9 years I have had my crabs, I have never done a deep clean. If you are worried about food and such, just a clean up of the top little bit. What are you using for substrate? How deep is it?

[The Crab Maid]

I’d be hesitant to dig up a crab too. Isopods would do all your maid work for you.