Molter found half unburied under the moss pit

[lifesnotasong]

1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it?
Mix of EE and playsand (blanking on the ratio right now, but it was the ratio I found recommended here on the forums), a bit over 6" deep. Was planning to add more when almost all of my crabs went down to molt, so I've been waiting for some more to come up before adding additional.

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?
Yes, I have an electronic one that does both humidity and temp that I callibrated when I got it. The screen sits outside the tank, but the probe itself is dangling about 6 inches down from the top corner (suspended in the air). The humidity reader runs 5% higher than reality. The humidity usually reads 99%, and the temp usually reads between 80 and 85. That said, in the last week we've had record highs here in oregon, and the tank got up to 92* at one point (with the UTH unplugged and me putting baggies of ice in the tank to try to cool it down).

3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?
Yes, an ultrathurm UTH attached to the back of the tank. I've been unplugging it as needed with the hot weather this summer to try to keep things in that range.

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)?
One container of fresh and one container of salt (InstaOcean, with 2 cups water + 1 tablespoon "salt"). All water is treated with API Tap Water Conditioned (1 drop per 1 gallon water).

5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?
Food is changed daily, and I try to hit all the main groups from the pyramid either daily or every other day-- animal protein, plant protein, calcium, fats, fruits, veggies, sea veggies. Most of the food is mixes from Crabvilla. Other animal proteins also include freeze dried blood worms, canned river shrimp, canned meal worms, dried mealworms, and dried river shrimp. They get bits of fresh fruit a few times a week. Sometimes other things as well-- happy to elaborate as needed.

6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known?
I've had Heart for about two months; he's a PP.

7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen?
This is his first molt with me.

8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing?
30 gal glass tank with a glass lid (with weatherstipping along one side to close the gap and keep the humidity in).

9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?
5 total-- two PP's and three E's. I'm awful at eyeballing side, but I think I would say there are three medium and two small. The crab this post is about is one of the mediums

10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any?
25-30.

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

12. How often do you clean the tank and how?
Spot cleaning with every food change (so daily). Water gets changed 1-2 times a week. Spare shells get rinsed in treated water once or twice a month (to get the dirt/moss out).

13. Are sponges used in the water dish? If so, how are they cleaned?
No. The only things in the water are glass pebbled on the bottom and some plastic craft mesh making a ladder up the side of the container (I use the double tupperware container).

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.)?
I mentioned it above, but last weekend was REALLY hot-- over 100* outside-- and the crabitat got up to 92* at one point (I did my best to get it down, but couldn't).

16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.
Heart has been underground, presumably molting, for 2-3 weeks now. Today I was moving the ground-level moss pit in preparation of adding a hamster wheel to the crabitat, and found Heart half unburied under the moss. His head and front two sets of legs are exposed, with the rest of him still underground. He did not respond to my hand being so close to him, and did not move at all while I took a quick picture before re-covering him with moss. I don't think he was in a shell, but I couldn't tell, since most of him was still underground. No bad death smell in the tank. I don't know how long he's been like that, as I don't usually take the moss out. I'm not sure whether I should unbury him fully and move him to our 10gal ISO tank, or leave him alone. Right now I have 1 other crab down molting, and 3 active above ground (2 E and 1 PP), so I'm concerned the active ones will find him and hurt him if he smells of molt to them. At the same time, I don't want to stress him with moving him unless necessary. He's close enough to the tank wall and the climbing arch I have in the tank that I don't think I can cover him with a tupperware, but if that's the best idea I can try. Any suggestions on how to help Heart get through whatever's going on?

I'm going to post this now, then see if I can comment with the picture I took. Thanks in advance for any help you have to offer!

[lifesnotasong]

Here's the quick pic I snapped. Pretty sure it's Heart, based on the eyes (I have 1 PP and 1 E down right now), but I can't see the pincher and the angle is bad, so not 100% sure. Shouldn't change anything either way.

[LadyJinglyJones]

Hiya -
I'm a bit crunched for time just now, but can quickly suggest iso'ING him with the top third or so of s clean pop bottle. If you press it into the sub around him it should guard against other crabs interfering. You can remove the cap for air exchange & pop some damp moss in there for extra humidity insurance. Hopefully you can cut the bottle to a hight that fits the space?

A bottle cap of fw water & salt water, and a bit of healing food like raw honey, coconut oil, Xtra virgin olive oil, peanutbutter... in case he decides he's hungry.

Is the crab at all responsive?

Got my fingers crossed for him.

[soilentgringa]

Just want to chime in and say that you don't have to cool the tank down for 92°F.

It's a little high but temps can get up into low 90's in the caribbean, and the southern tip of florida and the keys often see 90 or higher in summer.



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