Molting? Or Dead?

Edmund · Post by **Edmund** » 08 Mar 2007, 18:14

So I'm pretty sure my hermit crab is in molt because when I had him in my main tank, he kept digging under the water bowls. When I moved him into the ISO tank he went under and hasn't been up ever since. He's been down there for 2 weeks now and I'm really ancious to know if he is okay. I'm so tempted to particaly dig him up to be sure he is molting and not dead. Should I do that? Is there any other way I can be sure he is still alive and not dead? I've heard ppl post that their hermits take 3-4 weeks before finishing their molts and I've also heard hermits taking only 2 weeks. What should I do?

~Edmund

iluvhermies · Post by **iluvhermies** » 09 Mar 2007, 00:31

Ok First off DO NOT DIG IT UP. I know how you are feeling wanting to but that is a nono. We were all the same way on our first molt. They know what they are doing and it could be down for a while all hermies are different. Depending on the size of your hermie there is a chart to use as a guideline but it is not exact.

Here it is:
SIZE HOW OFTEN HOW LONG
Micro 2-4 weeks 1-2 weeks
Small 4-8 weeks 4-6 weeks
Medium 2-6 months 5-8 weeks
Large 6-12 months 2-3 months
Jumbo 12-18 months 3-4 months

Jaci · Post by **Jaci** » 11 Mar 2007, 09:52

iluv is absolutely correct. don't dig them up. being a hermie parent, firsts always make us anxious. wait as long as the chart that she posted depending on the size of your hermie. only dig them up if you smell a strong fishy odor.