Uh oh another molter!!!

[lilhoney42380]

I may have another molter on my hands!!! This guy hung out in the water and food dishes alot yesterday and now he's digging!!! Should I iso him NOW???!!!

[abegie]

I know some crabbers may disagree, but i'm more of the opinion that if you have a substrate that he can dig down in that putting him in iso is unnecessary, and may only add stress. I think I would just watch him closely and iso him only if you think he may surface molt.

[CrabbyJo]

If your substrate is deep enough (minimum 3", depends on the size of your crabs though) then he may be okay molting in the tank. As long as you are sure you are feeding a diet well balanced with daily proteins, calcium, etc. you can probably allow him to molt in the tank. This is a personal preference for many though, as some just feel safer if their crab is in iso.

If you have an iso available and ready (meaning it has the same conditions as the main tank, including temp and humidity) then it might not be a bad time to move him.
make sure you move a little of the substrate over from the main tank with him so he feels comfortable in his new digs.
If you move a pre-molter over too soon though, and if the conditions are far too different, it may cause him to delay his molt. So you want to be sure he'll be comfortable with the change, and keep him well supplied with fresh ocean salt water and dechlorinated fresh water.

Good luck!

[lilhoney42380]

I wanted to ISO him because I've had 2 deaths and am sick of being a murderer!! I was just going to put him in a critter carrier with sand, salt water, fresh water, and calcium rich foods and then place the carrier in the tank so he could have the heat and humidity.