when to start searching

[destahays]

I started with one 20 gallon tank that had 9 crabs. The tank was too small for that many so I made a second tank (44 gallon) and as the crabs came up (they were all buried for many weeks) I moved them into their larger tank. I have 3 very small crabs that are still buried. It has been 5 months. These 3 all came from a pet store (the tank there of course was not set up correctly) and 2 of the 3 are in painted shells I know for sure they haven't been out and about at night. At what point do I go searching? My assumption is they are no longer alive- either from post purchase syndrome or possibly crab aggression when I first got them and my tank was overstocked. If they aren't dead, how does it affect them to be discovered? If I did carefully start digging them up and found one alive, would I just let it be so it could keep doing its thing?
Oh, both tanks are set up correctly, I posted the filled out template a few months ago so know that isn't part of the issue
TIA for help!

[curlysister]

It generally affects them badly if you disrupt their molt. If you dig them up and they are alive, you then must iso them until they are strong enough to be with other crabs - you can not just leave them to keep doing their thing.

Personally, I would leave them for a while yet.

[destahays]

I don't think they are molting. From what I've read and seen with my others, it seems much more likely that they went down to destress right? It doesn't make sense that a tiny-small size crab would take 5 months to molt, right? They didn't do any of the normal pre molting behavior (excess eating, etc), they just dug down and haven't moved since....if I thought they were molting I do know to not bother them. My others dug down for weeks to destress, came up for a few weeks of heavy eating then dug down to molt and were only down about a week each for that.
I am ok to wait longer if they really might be molting, that's why I'm on here asking the experts I don't have much crab experience other then spending a zillion hours reading posts here and 6 months with my crabbies

[Moonlightdreams]

I don't think they are molting. From what I've read and seen with my others, it seems much more likely that they went down to destress right? It doesn't make sense that a tiny-small size crab would take 5 months to molt, right? They didn't do any of the normal pre molting behavior (excess eating, etc), they just dug down and haven't moved since....if I thought they were molting I do know to not bother them. My others dug down for weeks to destress, came up for a few weeks of heavy eating then dug down to molt and were only down about a week each for that.
I am ok to wait longer if they really might be molting, that's why I'm on here asking the experts I don't have much crab experience other then spending a zillion hours reading posts here and 6 months with my crabbies

Any crab can take up to 8 months, possibly even longer.

[arsavoir]

I don't think they are molting. From what I've read and seen with my others, it seems much more likely that they went down to destress right? It doesn't make sense that a tiny-small size crab would take 5 months to molt, right? They didn't do any of the normal pre molting behavior (excess eating, etc), they just dug down and haven't moved since....if I thought they were molting I do know to not bother them. My others dug down for weeks to destress, came up for a few weeks of heavy eating then dug down to molt and were only down about a week each for that.
I am ok to wait longer if they really might be molting, that's why I'm on here asking the experts I don't have much crab experience other then spending a zillion hours reading posts here and 6 months with my crabbies

Any crab can take up to 8 months, possibly even longer.

I would also wait. When I moved mine into a new big tank they all went under for about a month and a half. They sneak up occasionally now but mine like it underground.


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[wodesorel]

If you are positive it has been 5 months, I would be inclined to dig and get it over with. They can stay down for 8 months but that is a rarity. I have never had a crab stay down for more than 4 and still be alive, so a little more than that is my personal cut off so long as I have no doubt they weren't sneaking up for food and water in between. Little crabs only need two or three nights to recharge and remolt so you can go a year or more without seeing them! Have isos handy in case they are alive, you have to keep them separate for quite a while in case they are at some point of the molting cycle. And never rebury! Use a dish or cocohut to create a false cave.

[leah610]

I'm honestly in the same position. I have one crab that has now been under for 6 months, and I'm positive that there hasn't been any sneaking up to the surface and that she's actually molting. My heart says "don't dig!" but my brain says "there's no chance "

[destahays]

Thank you wodesorel- I wasa hoping you would chime in and confirm what I should do! I am mostly a lurker on this site, but I have certainly noticed you are one of the people to listen to
On a sadder note, I did just dig them up and all 3 were dead. Poor little guys. And I had thought 2 were in painted shells but all 3 were. I guess at least the rest of them (in my larger tank) are doing fine and in good conditions now!

[GotButterflies]

I'm sorry for your loss!

[wodesorel]

I am so sorry you found them all dead. That is one of the worst feelings, waiting so long and then it ends up being bad news.