ISO for how long?

Questions about hermit crabs moulting and its symptoms.
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MomofFive
Zygote
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Posts: 53
Joined: 01 Sep 2010, 14:15
Gender: Female
Hermit crabs: 15
Total gallons: 85
Total tanks: 3
Location: Three Rivers, MA

ISO for how long?

Post by MomofFive »

We bought Leonard (a bit smaller than a Ping Pong ball) on Aug. 21st. He went down 10 min. after we put him in our 10gal tat! (Now the ISO)
He surfaced again Sep. 1st and looked like someone blew him up! (By then we already moved his 3 friends into the new 20gal.) He ate some, drank some, went down again.
I put a coconut hut over the spot where he buried.
On Sep. 9th (that is when I checked on him) he came up again. When I picked up the hut he was sitting there with his big claw and one of his legs from his shed exo left.
So far he has not touched the last two pieces of his exo, but I am sure that he is eating and drinking! (I replace salt/fresh water and food every day)
Just minutes ago (Sep.11th) I saw him roaming around the ISO and switching shells.
I am not sure when he is ready to join his friends in the 20gal. :S
Should I keep him in ISO longer (how long???) or should I put him into the bigger tank with the others now?
He is my first Molt and since he did really great so far, I do not want to take the risk of harming him now!
This is really nerve wrecking for me! I missed a few nights of sleep to make sure ISO and main tank are exactly at the same Humidity/Temperature. 8|
_________________________________________________________________
15 Purple Pinchers, 1 Doberman Pincher (female), 1 Albino California King Snake, 1 Boa Constrictor Imperator and 6 Homo Sapiens (1 adult male called Hubby (33) and 5 of his offspring (3 males and 2 females)
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ladybug15057
Coenobita
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Posts: 3098
Joined: 03 Mar 2008, 04:12
Gender: Female
Hermit crabs: 82
Total gallons: 305
Total tanks: 7
Location: Southwestern Pa., U.S.

Re: ISO for how long?

Post by ladybug15057 »

When he is eating and drinking well on his own, he has no 'blotches' of light coloring, and he is moving about well on his own showing no signs of weakness, he is able to return home. You may wish to bath him with the others, (if you bath your hermies) so they all smell the same and washes the molting odor off of him. If you do not bath your hermies, a little dunk in the fresh water pond before you change it out for fresh so he smells like the others and rinses some of the molt smell off of him.
Marie (aka ladybug15057)

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User avatar
MomofFive
Zygote
Zygote
Posts: 53
Joined: 01 Sep 2010, 14:15
Gender: Female
Hermit crabs: 15
Total gallons: 85
Total tanks: 3
Location: Three Rivers, MA

Re: ISO for how long?

Post by MomofFive »

I did that yesterday^^ he ate like a mad crab while in ISO. The rest of his exo and then honey and walnuts. He completely ignored the sardines and seaweed, just like the veggies and fruit. I am not sure if he thinks Hand = Food, but he came running out of his hide when I stuck my hand into the tank 8|
_________________________________________________________________
15 Purple Pinchers, 1 Doberman Pincher (female), 1 Albino California King Snake, 1 Boa Constrictor Imperator and 6 Homo Sapiens (1 adult male called Hubby (33) and 5 of his offspring (3 males and 2 females)
User avatar
ladybug15057
Coenobita
Coenobita
Posts: 3098
Joined: 03 Mar 2008, 04:12
Gender: Female
Hermit crabs: 82
Total gallons: 305
Total tanks: 7
Location: Southwestern Pa., U.S.

Re: ISO for how long?

Post by ladybug15057 »

I wouldn't be surprised if he relates the 2 already. Most of the hermies here do come out in the evening when the lid is opened on the tank. Now which they relate it to... exercise in the baby pool, or food not sure but they are there. :) But we have had these ones for several years, the youngest being bought almost 6 years ago this fall.. and that is my straws.
Marie (aka ladybug15057)

If you are contacted privately (via pm or e-mail) and enticed to join another forum, please contact a Crab Crew member. This is an unethical practice.
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