Crabby is gone!

[Oakie]

Well I've had this problem with this certain crab before... his name is Nemo.
Friends came over too see my crabs took them all out then put them back in the terrarium.
Went to bed and in the morning nemo was gone! I was so scared, because i thought one of my friends forgot about him and didnt put him back in the terrarium. Looked for him everywhere and he was gone. Then I decided to change my sand the next day and he was COMPLETELY BURIED at the very bottom of the tank. Now i have about 4" or 5" of sand in this tank and i couldnt believe he was doing it. I got him out and he was very active for the next couple of days... now i tried looking for him again in the terrarium and he's gone. I figure he buried himself again.

My question is... is he molting?

[emmac350]

Most likely either molting or destressing. Regardless of the reason, do not under any circumstance dig your crab up. That can stress a crab out to the point that he or she will die. Just wait (it's hard, we all know that) and let your crab do its thing. It'll take a few weeks up to a few months (depends on crab size).

[Oakie]

alrighty, thanks. what should i do about food/water? do they stay under without eating for weeks?

[ladybug15057]

Whether the hermies are burrowed or not there should always be both dechlor fresh and ocean water available as well as food. One never knows when one may resurface looking for a drink or to refill their shells with water or a bite to eat. But as Emma recommended under no circumstances dig them up. If they want to eat or drink they know how to come back to the surface to do so.

[CrabbyJo]

I agree, keep their water and food fresh even if it looks like they aren't touching it for weeks. It would be sad to have the crab come up for a drink and not have good water, or a bite to eat and no food.
I almost let the fresh water go dry in my iso with my molting crab one time, I felt awful. I kept everything ready for him, he took 4 weeks.