Is my hermie moulting?

[mother.jeni]

Okay, so I just recently added Eco Earth bedding to my tank. So now, it's half sand, and half earth. I also added a coconut bowl that I tipped sideways and leaned against the back of the tank right under the edge of my corner plant. My hermies seem to like to be in the plant, or on its base rock in the back alot of the time. They sleep in the leaves too. Anyway, back to my problem. The eco earth is still pretty loose ( I tested it by trying to burrough my finger down, but It just kept falling into the hole). My hermies spent the night behind the coconut, and when I didn't see Blue(little one) with Sparky(my big hermie) I looked around, and he was burying down under the edge of the coconut. I can barely see his shell just poking through? What should I do? What is he doing? He's never really been very active. I've read where sometimes moulting crabs stay in the salt water, and eat certain foods, but I don't think he's done any of that. He doesn't like water much. Usually, he just goes to the edge, and dips his claws in. Should I take him out and Iso him? Put extra water near him. Stop my other crab from getting to him? HELP!!!

[ladybug15057]

Being he has already started to burrow I would suggest to leave him be. Just in case he does decide to molt without completely burying himself be prepared with either a cut 2 liter bottle or the glass off of a picture frame to section him off from the others.
He may just be trying to snuggle in too since you just put new substrate in. The newness may have him a little stressed as well and he is just trying to get comfy.

[mother.jeni]

Thank you for replying so quickly. I'll do that. I'm just worried. These are my first hermit crabs ever, and I want to do the right/best thing.

[ladybug15057]

You're welcome and good luck! But please, if he does molt, please do not mistake him for being dead. When they do molt they look dead even while in the molting position:

http://crabstreetjournal.com/xoops/modu ... storyid=57

[Wai]

With regards to the coconut fibre being loose, just "squash" the coconut fibre down with your palm to compress it more. Make sure that there are no hermit crabs under your palm though!

[ladybug15057]

Added note about the colored substrate in with Clyde... I have not used this substrate for several years now. I use the natural CaribSea substrate.

[CrabbyJo]

Another thing to consider is the coconut substrate may be too dry and needs a good misting. Or you can poke a hole down in the corners of the tank and pour about 1/4 to 1/2 cup of dechlor water down each corner. The water will spread and soak into the coconut fiber.

Personally, I sprinkle the water all over the coconut fiber, as I find pouring it into the corners doesn't make me feel like I've moistened it enough, but I only do this if there are no crabs out that can be disturbed by the water (and I don't dump right over a crab that is burrowed).

[HermitOrCrabs]

When hermit crabs molt, do they move any, or do they dig from place to place while under or in substrate? Her is why I am asking this question. I have a hermit crab that had a molt sac, drank hours and hours worth or salt water conditioner and has buried himself for 2 weeks now. So just asking.

[emmac350]

Please see the link that Marie (ladybug15057) provided in her response to this post. It provides a full description of what a molting crab will look like.

As for your question, no, crabs do not move around (as in dig tunnels under the substrate) once they're molting. They may dig tunnels to find where they want to molt, but they stay in one place once they've molted as further digging will embed substrate in their soft exos.

[ladybug15057]

(HermitOrCrabs post has been merged with the one Emma referred to

As well as the explanation Emma has given, when a hermie has molted their new exo has been referred to as "It is like wet cement, touch it and it will mark". Also has been referred to as jello, no support to it. It must begin to harden for support.