Dug up then reburied molters did I just suffocate them

Questions about hermit crabs moulting and its symptoms.
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Lydia
Zygote
Zygote
Posts: 3
Joined: 28 May 2016, 00:51
Gender: Female
Hermit crabs: 5
Total gallons: 20
Total tanks: 2

Dug up then reburied molters did I just suffocate them

Post by Lydia »

I am new crab owner starting out 3 months ago. 2 of my crabs were molting for about a month and I dug them up 3 days ago. I saw movement so I didn't disturb further but carefully patted sand around them lightly and then used soda bottles to isolate each one separately. Now I have read that reburying may suffocate them. What to do? Dig up again for surface molt?

What is the volume of your main tank?
20 gallons

How many hermit crabs do you currently have? 5 How big are they?
1 tiny 1 small 2 medium and 1 large

How long have you had the hermit crab(s) that you are concerned about?
one I’ve had for 3 months the other for less than a month

What substrate or combination of substrates are you using? How deep is it?
Beach Sand mixed with coconut fiber, 5-6 inches deep

What do you feed your hermit crabs?
Variety of fruit veggies and dried shrimp, blood worms

Do you use distilled, bottled, tap or other types of water?
Tap water

If you are using a dechlorinator, what brand is it? Does it state to remove all heavy metals, chlorine and chloramines?
I mix the water with dechlorinator or stress coat. yes

What brand of sea salt are you using to supply your hermit crabs with salt water?


What heat source are you using and where is it positioned?
Zoo med UTH heater for 10-20 gallon tank, on side of tank

Have you calibrated your thermometer(s) and hygrometer so that you can interpret accurate readings?
No calibration just affixed them to tank

What is the air temperature range and humidity inside the tank?
air temp 80 on the warm side of the tank, ,humidity same 80%

What is the highest temperature that the substrate near the heat source reaches?
Don’t know how to determine that

Do you have any photos of your tank or hermit crab(s) of concern? If yes, please attach them to your post.
Lydia
Zygote
Zygote
Posts: 3
Joined: 28 May 2016, 00:51
Gender: Female
Hermit crabs: 5
Total gallons: 20
Total tanks: 2

Re: Dug up then reburied molters did I just suffocate them

Post by Lydia »

The good news is they both resurfaced this morning freshly molted looking great!
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emmac350
Coenobita
Coenobita
Posts: 1949
Joined: 22 Sep 2008, 08:08
Gender: Female
Hermit crabs: 6
Total gallons: 40
Total tanks: 2
Contact:

Re: Dug up then reburied molters did I just suffocate them

Post by emmac350 »

Congratulations! I'm glad things worked out; sorry we didn't reply earlier.

That said, do you offer your crabs saltwater? If not, a freshly molted crab really needs to get some ocean salt water (a mix that is meant for saltwater fish tanks) to replenish the minerals they've lost.

Also, stress coat isn't needed for crabs, and might cause their gills some irritation so you might want to look around for another dechlorinator.
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