Moving to a new home but 2 crabs are underground
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OopsieDaisies008
Topic author - Posts: 13
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Moving to a new home but 2 crabs are underground
I am most likely moving to a new home very soon. Not far, same area. I currently have 2 hermit crabs underground. I don’t really have a choice as I will have to move the tank. My question is — will they be ok? If they’re underground, what if the tunnels collapse? How will I know if they’re even ok after the move? Has anyone successfully moved while they had crabs underground… and did the crabs survive? Thanks!
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curlysister
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Re: Moving to a new home but 2 crabs are underground
If your crabs are underground, we would recommend digging them up. Be prepared to isolate them each separately, in case they haven't completed their molt. Moving a tank with sub in it can definately cause tunnels and caves to collapse.
"If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went." -Will Rogers
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OopsieDaisies008
Topic author - Posts: 13
- Joined: Tue Sep 03, 2024 1:06 pm
- Location: East Coast USA
Re: Moving to a new home but 2 crabs are underground
An update! And also I wanted to say thank you for the great advice. Long story short, I had a successful move. 
I very carefully dug up both hermit crabs, and luckily one looks like he had just finished molting! I started crying at first not realizing what I thought were body parts was just the exoskeleton. I peeked inside his shell and sure enough, he was still there, pink and shiny! I put him in a Tupperware on top of some substrate, and I also put in his exoskeleton, dechlorinated water, salt water, a new shell just in case, and some calcium and protein. The top of the Tupperware has holes so he can stay in the big tank but still be isolated and safe.
Questions: how do I know when he’s ready to leave isolation? And is there anything I should add to the Tupperware (aka his fortress of solitude), like special/specific post-molt food maybe? More shells? (Although there is not a lot of room in there). This is my first time witnessing a molt! Thanks
I very carefully dug up both hermit crabs, and luckily one looks like he had just finished molting! I started crying at first not realizing what I thought were body parts was just the exoskeleton. I peeked inside his shell and sure enough, he was still there, pink and shiny! I put him in a Tupperware on top of some substrate, and I also put in his exoskeleton, dechlorinated water, salt water, a new shell just in case, and some calcium and protein. The top of the Tupperware has holes so he can stay in the big tank but still be isolated and safe. Questions: how do I know when he’s ready to leave isolation? And is there anything I should add to the Tupperware (aka his fortress of solitude), like special/specific post-molt food maybe? More shells? (Although there is not a lot of room in there). This is my first time witnessing a molt! Thanks
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curlysister
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Re: Moving to a new home but 2 crabs are underground
Right on! I'm glad it all went smoothly!
When he is moving around normally, he can go back in gen pop. Keep an eye on the crabs when you let him back with his group - when they dig up from underground they 'scrub' some of the 'molting smell' off. Because he didn't dig up, he might have some of the smell. If there is any questionable behavior, give everybody a quick dip in the fresh water so they all smell the same.
When he is moving around normally, he can go back in gen pop. Keep an eye on the crabs when you let him back with his group - when they dig up from underground they 'scrub' some of the 'molting smell' off. Because he didn't dig up, he might have some of the smell. If there is any questionable behavior, give everybody a quick dip in the fresh water so they all smell the same.
"If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went." -Will Rogers
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OopsieDaisies008
Topic author - Posts: 13
- Joined: Tue Sep 03, 2024 1:06 pm
- Location: East Coast USA
Re: Moving to a new home but 2 crabs are underground
You are amazing, CurlySister. Thank you so much for all your help! 
He has moved and even burrowed a little bit into the small mound of substrate inside the Tupperware, but I think I’ll wait a little while longer to release him into gen pop. The other one is suddenly a lot more active than before the move. It looks and sounds like he’s throwing a rave every night — food dishes overturned, shells everywhere, splashing in the water. 
Definitely not his usual behavior. Maybe he smells his newly molted buddy or maybe he’s feeling more comfortable in his new location (the tank is temporarily in a quiet corner of my bedroom until I can buy a tank stand for the living room).
He has moved and even burrowed a little bit into the small mound of substrate inside the Tupperware, but I think I’ll wait a little while longer to release him into gen pop. The other one is suddenly a lot more active than before the move. It looks and sounds like he’s throwing a rave every night — food dishes overturned, shells everywhere, splashing in the water. 
Definitely not his usual behavior. Maybe he smells his newly molted buddy or maybe he’s feeling more comfortable in his new location (the tank is temporarily in a quiet corner of my bedroom until I can buy a tank stand for the living room).