Uncovered PP During Molt/Pre-Molt/Post-Molt Out of Shell

[TexasSooner]

1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it? 50/50 EE/play sand, 12-14 inches

2. Do you have gauges in the tank to measure temperature and humidity? If so, where are they located and what temperature and humidity do they usually read? Two AcuRite gauges: one at mid-tank, mid level – usually reads 80-84 daytime and 77-81 nighttime, humidity 80-99 depending on if I have just misted (mist with purified water – no humidifier or filter); one at end of tank closest to natural light windows - usually reads 82-86 daytime and 78-82 nighttime, humidity 80-99.

3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what? UTH on back of tank; length of tank; above substrate level.

4. What types of water are available (fresh or salt) and how is the water treated (what brands of dechlorinator or salt mix and what ratio is used to mix it)? Both fresh and salt (changed every third day); use purified water purchased from store; Purple Instant mixed at ratio recommended here on site (written on bag for when needed)

5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced? Order all our food from the Healthyhermit and follow the food pyramid here on site; changed daily (unless it is the sticks or leaves which I will allow them to keep and extra day or two).

6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known? One year - PP

7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen? Happening now

8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing? 50 or 55 gallon (apologies, I cannot recall which one this is – it is the longer tall glass “aquarium” from Petco they have during their dollar/gallon sale. It has mesh lids with glass lids over the top and loose plastic wrap on one end to keep in moisture. We live in Texas and humidity was a major problem variable to nail down with the big tank. It has been steady now for four months.

9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they? Five PPs in tank. I *think* there are four largish and one medium. They definitely require me to order them shells one at a time and not in bulk. But they aren’t by any means measured by size of a sports ball other than a ping pong for the larger.

10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any? 25-35

11. Have there been any fumes or chemicals near the crabitat recently? No

12. How often do you clean the tank and how? Spot clean substrate; deep clean shell shops by boiling shells (as needed); glass with purified water (vinegar as needed)

13. Are sponges used in the water dish? If so, how are they cleaned? No

14. Has anything new been added to your crabitat recently? No

15. Is there any other information you would like to share that might be helpful (anything that is regularly part of your crab care, playtime, bathing, etc.)? Do no regularly do playtime, bathing or handling but have handled without issue and bathed previously when introducing to habitat or removing irritants.

16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail. Returned from a nine day trip to find standing water in food dish and water dishes overturned. The crab nanny is great but does not know everyone well enough to be able to take a head count. A 99% humidity and very damp top substrate left me with a fear of flooding. The substrate was wet enough to require churning. I could not see everyone, but hoped they would be ok. Three of five crabbies were in a moss pit and another was napping under a semi-buried ceramic log they tend to rotate out under. My fifth is the one who scared me and I scared him. He was molting/freshly molted/getting ready to molt – I am not sure. I was 2/3 of the way through churning the substrate when I uncovered the poor thing. He was out of his shell (which was next to him) and white as a ghost when it happened. It goes without saying, I feel terrible. I stopped everything immediately. He was obviously as shocked as I was as he just stood there and sort of danced in place a moment. It was middle of the night and the house was dark save the light over the tank. I grabbed a cocohut and placed it over him and his shell. I put honey, calcium, protein, both waters in a little container which is available to him (did not see any exo) and then let the previously mentioned ceramic log slide down that section but it does not complete wall off in any way then let the substrate fill back in. Should I dig him back up? I am not sure what to do. I thought it best not to touch him or move him since he was buried and not on the surface and had air via the hut and log. But now I am not sure. And I know about the cannibalism. But also know it may be too late either way. And also know this is a novel that I am lucky if anyone reads to the end. So if you did, thank you.

[wodesorel]

He should not have been naked down there, freshly molted or not! I would check to make sure he reshelled on his own, if not you should clean his shell out and confine him to a container until he is shelled.

[TexasSooner]

He is reshelled. I have now disturbed him twice as I had to pick up the shell to confirm. Rather than replace him on the bottom of the tank only to find out I should have isolated him, I currently have him waiting in a KK with 4 inch substrate under a small cocohut inside the 55 gallon tank. The KK is on the non-natural light side of the tank surrounded on all sides by artificial plants with that end covered by a blanket. Should I leave him in the KK or return him to the bottom of the tank?

[TexasSooner]

And, thank you very much for your response!

[CrabsterBecks]

Cross your fingers........I'm hoping for a positive result!!

[wodesorel]

I would leave him in the KK. It is hard to recreate the caves they build, so as long as they are covered over with something that leaves them dark they will finish as normally as they can. He will probably dig himself into the sand once he has recovered a bit! And this way no other crab has a chance of disturbing him yet again.

[curlysister]

I would leave him in the KK now that he is there. Do you have water and food in there with him?

[GotButterflies]

Hello I responded with GB for GotButterflies

1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it? 50/50 EE/play sand, 12-14 inches

GB: Perfect - as long as it was mixed with dechlorinated msw or dechlorinated fw to make it sandcastle consistency, and as long as this depth is three times the height as your largest crab

2. Do you have gauges in the tank to measure temperature and humidity? If so, where are they located and what temperature and humidity do they usually read? Two AcuRite gauges: one at mid-tank, mid level – usually reads 80-84 daytime and 77-81 nighttime, humidity 80-99 depending on if I have just misted (mist with purified water – no humidifier or filter); one at end of tank closest to natural light windows - usually reads 82-86 daytime and 78-82 nighttime, humidity 80-99.

3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what? UTH on back of tank; length of tank; above substrate level.

4. What types of water are available (fresh or salt) and how is the water treated (what brands of dechlorinator or salt mix and what ratio is used to mix it)? Both fresh and salt (changed every third day); use purified water purchased from store; Purple Instant mixed at ratio recommended here on site (written on bag for when needed)

GB: You still need to use a dechlorinator for both waters. A recommended dechlorinator will remove chlorine and chloramine as well as neutralize ammonia and heavy metals. I personally recommend Prime.

5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced? Order all our food from the Healthyhermit and follow the food pyramid here on site; changed daily (unless it is the sticks or leaves which I will allow them to keep and extra day or two).

GB: Perfect, but you can also give them food that you eat to give them more of a variety Foods should be organic when possible. Hermit crabs are sensitive to pesticides and fertilizers. You can also pick up a cuttlebone from the bird section of the pet store - stick it in the substrate like a surfboard so that is available at all times for them.
Safe food list: viewtopic.php?f=25&t=92557
Unsafe food list: viewtopic.php?f=25&t=92556

6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known? One year - PP

7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen? Happening now

8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing? 50 or 55 gallon (apologies, I cannot recall which one this is – it is the longer tall glass “aquarium” from Petco they have during their dollar/gallon sale. It has mesh lids with glass lids over the top and loose plastic wrap on one end to keep in moisture. We live in Texas and humidity was a major problem variable to nail down with the big tank. It has been steady now for four months.

9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they? Five PPs in tank. I *think* there are four largish and one medium. They definitely require me to order them shells one at a time and not in bulk. But they aren’t by any means measured by size of a sports ball other than a ping pong for the larger.

10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any? 25-35

GB: It never hurts to have more shells There are incorrect shells to buy. Here is the shell guide: viewtopic.php?f=24&t=92552

11. Have there been any fumes or chemicals near the crabitat recently? No

12. How often do you clean the tank and how? Spot clean substrate; deep clean shell shops by boiling shells (as needed); glass with purified water (vinegar as needed)

GB: Don't forget to use the dechlorinator with purified water

13. Are sponges used in the water dish? If so, how are they cleaned? No

14. Has anything new been added to your crabitat recently? No

15. Is there any other information you would like to share that might be helpful (anything that is regularly part of your crab care, playtime, bathing, etc.)? Do no regularly do playtime, bathing or handling but have handled without issue and bathed previously when introducing to habitat or removing irritants.

16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail. Returned from a nine day trip to find standing water in food dish and water dishes overturned. The crab nanny is great but does not know everyone well enough to be able to take a head count. A 99% humidity and very damp top substrate left me with a fear of flooding. The substrate was wet enough to require churning. I could not see everyone, but hoped they would be ok. Three of five crabbies were in a moss pit and another was napping under a semi-buried ceramic log they tend to rotate out under. My fifth is the one who scared me and I scared him. He was molting/freshly molted/getting ready to molt – I am not sure. I was 2/3 of the way through churning the substrate when I uncovered the poor thing. He was out of his shell (which was next to him) and white as a ghost when it happened. It goes without saying, I feel terrible. I stopped everything immediately. He was obviously as shocked as I was as he just stood there and sort of danced in place a moment. It was middle of the night and the house was dark save the light over the tank. I grabbed a cocohut and placed it over him and his shell. I put honey, calcium, protein, both waters in a little container which is available to him (did not see any exo) and then let the previously mentioned ceramic log slide down that section but it does not complete wall off in any way then let the substrate fill back in. Should I dig him back up? I am not sure what to do. I thought it best not to touch him or move him since he was buried and not on the surface and had air via the hut and log. But now I am not sure. And I know about the cannibalism. But also know it may be too late either way. And also know this is a novel that I am lucky if anyone reads to the end. So if you did, thank you.

GB: I would iso him so that his exo has time to harden and he doesn't have to be worried about others eating him. I'm pretty sure I already discussed this with you. Don't feel bad. If your tank had been flooded, he would have passed away. In the future, do the chopstick test. Stick a chopstick or ruler down the front of your tank along the glass to see if water is indeed standing at the bottom. You would also know that it is by a terrible stench. Good luck!

[TexasSooner]

Hello I responded with GB for GotButterflies

1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it? 50/50 EE/play sand, 12-14 inches

GB: Perfect - as long as it was mixed with dechlorinated msw or dechlorinated fw to make it sandcastle consistency, and as long as this depth is three times the height as your largest crab

2. Do you have gauges in the tank to measure temperature and humidity? If so, where are they located and what temperature and humidity do they usually read? Two AcuRite gauges: one at mid-tank, mid level – usually reads 80-84 daytime and 77-81 nighttime, humidity 80-99 depending on if I have just misted (mist with purified water – no humidifier or filter); one at end of tank closest to natural light windows - usually reads 82-86 daytime and 78-82 nighttime, humidity 80-99.

3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what? UTH on back of tank; length of tank; above substrate level.

4. What types of water are available (fresh or salt) and how is the water treated (what brands of dechlorinator or salt mix and what ratio is used to mix it)? Both fresh and salt (changed every third day); use purified water purchased from store; Purple Instant mixed at ratio recommended here on site (written on bag for when needed)

GB: You still need to use a dechlorinator for both waters. A recommended dechlorinator will remove chlorine and chloramine as well as neutralize ammonia and heavy metals. I personally recommend Prime.

5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced? Order all our food from the Healthyhermit and follow the food pyramid here on site; changed daily (unless it is the sticks or leaves which I will allow them to keep and extra day or two).

GB: Perfect, but you can also give them food that you eat to give them more of a variety Foods should be organic when possible. Hermit crabs are sensitive to pesticides and fertilizers. You can also pick up a cuttlebone from the bird section of the pet store - stick it in the substrate like a surfboard so that is available at all times for them.
Safe food list: viewtopic.php?f=25&t=92557
Unsafe food list: viewtopic.php?f=25&t=92556

6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known? One year - PP

7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen? Happening now

8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing? 50 or 55 gallon (apologies, I cannot recall which one this is – it is the longer tall glass “aquarium” from Petco they have during their dollar/gallon sale. It has mesh lids with glass lids over the top and loose plastic wrap on one end to keep in moisture. We live in Texas and humidity was a major problem variable to nail down with the big tank. It has been steady now for four months.

9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they? Five PPs in tank. I *think* there are four largish and one medium. They definitely require me to order them shells one at a time and not in bulk. But they aren’t by any means measured by size of a sports ball other than a ping pong for the larger.

10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any? 25-35

GB: It never hurts to have more shells There are incorrect shells to buy. Here is the shell guide: viewtopic.php?f=24&t=92552

11. Have there been any fumes or chemicals near the crabitat recently? No

12. How often do you clean the tank and how? Spot clean substrate; deep clean shell shops by boiling shells (as needed); glass with purified water (vinegar as needed)

GB: Don't forget to use the dechlorinator with purified water

13. Are sponges used in the water dish? If so, how are they cleaned? No

14. Has anything new been added to your crabitat recently? No

15. Is there any other information you would like to share that might be helpful (anything that is regularly part of your crab care, playtime, bathing, etc.)? Do no regularly do playtime, bathing or handling but have handled without issue and bathed previously when introducing to habitat or removing irritants.

16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail. Returned from a nine day trip to find standing water in food dish and water dishes overturned. The crab nanny is great but does not know everyone well enough to be able to take a head count. A 99% humidity and very damp top substrate left me with a fear of flooding. The substrate was wet enough to require churning. I could not see everyone, but hoped they would be ok. Three of five crabbies were in a moss pit and another was napping under a semi-buried ceramic log they tend to rotate out under. My fifth is the one who scared me and I scared him. He was molting/freshly molted/getting ready to molt – I am not sure. I was 2/3 of the way through churning the substrate when I uncovered the poor thing. He was out of his shell (which was next to him) and white as a ghost when it happened. It goes without saying, I feel terrible. I stopped everything immediately. He was obviously as shocked as I was as he just stood there and sort of danced in place a moment. It was middle of the night and the house was dark save the light over the tank. I grabbed a cocohut and placed it over him and his shell. I put honey, calcium, protein, both waters in a little container which is available to him (did not see any exo) and then let the previously mentioned ceramic log slide down that section but it does not complete wall off in any way then let the substrate fill back in. Should I dig him back up? I am not sure what to do. I thought it best not to touch him or move him since he was buried and not on the surface and had air via the hut and log. But now I am not sure. And I know about the cannibalism. But also know it may be too late either way. And also know this is a novel that I am lucky if anyone reads to the end. So if you did, thank you.

GB: I would iso him so that his exo has time to harden and he doesn't have to be worried about others eating him. I'm pretty sure I already discussed this with you. Don't feel bad. If your tank had been flooded, he would have passed away. In the future, do the chopstick test. Stick a chopstick or ruler down the front of your tank along the glass to see if water is indeed standing at the bottom. You would also know that it is by a terrible stench. Good luck!

Wanted to check back in on this one before making another misstep - It's been about 2 1/2 weeks since I put this little guy in iso inside the main tank. After confirming he reshelled, I did not disturb him again. I have kept the food/water fresh, but there have been no signs of movement. Given he had already molted and I was waiting for his exo to harden, is there a time frame to give him here? I realize the substrate may mask any smell from him having passed away - but I really want to give him every chance I can/could have! TIA!!

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

[curlysister]

Is he still on the surface, or is he under the substrate now?

[TexasSooner]

I *think* he must be under the substrate only because there was never any smell of any sort at all.

[GotButterflies]

Whenever he resurfaces in the KK, just dip him in the freshwater of the main tank and add him back into general population

[curlysister]

Give him lots of time - like a few months, as long as no smell. Don't dig him up.

[TexasSooner]

Thank you. I will keep doing what I have been and hope for the best!

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

[wodesorel]

Once they rebury it is very much like a normal molt and they may end up taking their sweet time. I would not be remotely worried just yet!