Molting question

[giannaw]

I possibly have two hermit crabs molting, I cannot find them and I’m pretty sure they’re under the sand doing their business. I do not know where they are, and I have one hermit crab on surface. I don’t have a ISO tank currently, but I was wondering if there’s a chance my hermit crab won’t bury them up and eat them? I understand they give off a scent to others that attracts them to eat them. I’m afraid of her going after her friends, I currently do not see any hermit crabs limbs or shells of those who’re molting. I’m worried if she ate them and reburied the shells/ bodies. I do not want to go and search in the sand for them in case they are alive and molting. Please help me out and give me advice! (p.s., my hermit crab does dig into the sand, and ever since the two disappeared the cage looks very messy (sand dunes everywhere)).

[curlysister]

Once underground, they often move locations, so it is normal to not know where they are.
The reason why it is recommended to have your substrate at least 2-3 times as deep as your largest crab, and to not have an overcrowded tank, are to prevent crabs from smelling molting crabs, or from coming across each other when they are digging around. If your tank isn't crowded for the size and number of crabs, and your substrate is deep enough, you just need to trust that they know what they are doing.

[giannaw]

I recently got two new crabs, and my substrate is 3 inches deep because of my other crab (aka 3x it’s size), so it’s not updated for the new crabs. So I’m really worried. I see them digging near the water dish but I hope they’re not digging to eat them!

[Jlmills525]

if you don't have an iso tank but you are really worried you can very gently put more substrate on top of the old, just be sure not to put too much at once and don't like 'tamp it down' so it won't collapse tunnels. Or, you can go get an ISO tank if you have the means to do so.

[giannaw]

I could add more substrate but I was waiting until they were done molting so I don’t disturb anything. But was there any incidents where a hermit crab left a molting crab alone when came in contact?

[curlysister]

As stated, you can add more substrate when they are down, just don't drop it in from a height and don't pack it down.
How large is your tank? Are you feeding lots of variety, including protein and calcium daily? How are your temp and humidity?

[giannaw]

My tank is 25 gallons. I feed my hermit crabs the same variety but offer different proteins, ex: bloodworms, mealworms, pellets, crushed almonds, oats, and flaxseeds, hydrated veggies, protein (like eggs or shrimp), egg shells (or eggs), and sometimes coconut and raisins. My temp is usually 75 and the humidity ranges from 85-90

[curlysister]

That's great temp, humidity, and variety of appropriate foods. And your tank isn't over crowded. A crab in those conditions shouldn't go 'looking for' a molting crab, but if they accidentally dig one up when they are digging around, it will be vulnerable. The only time one of my crabs dug up the other is when my sub wasn't deep enough. He was just digging around like he often does, and came across her, and therefore dug her up. She was done her molt, but one of her legs was ripped off. I kept her isolated for a while, she did fine, and she re-grew her leg during the next molt.

[giannaw]

I hope she doesn’t dig up one of their buddies during their molt, I haven’t seen any signs of them being on surface though. And, I don’t really know where they hide at besides the moss pit