one of my crabs is on the surface, but hasn't moved for 3 days!

[jeswwjd23]

I'm just wondering, if Pinchy is molting, why do they decide to do a surface molt?? i haven't gone through a molt yet. so i don't know what to expect. can anyway help??

[Itsy]

Well first of all does he smell fishy? What is the vitals in your tank like(humidy temp)? Whats your substrate and how many crabs in your tank? What were his symptons post this happening and what are his symptons now? So on and so forth? I cant help till i know a little bit more. OK.

[jeswwjd23]

The tank is kept around 78 during the day and 72 at night, and the humidity is usually between 70-80, i have 6 crabs in total all tiny's in a 10gallon with 2 levels half sand and bedding. and plenty of hiding and climbing spaces the rest of them are very happy, pinchy was fine until about 3 days ago. he was lively and eating and then tonight i notice that he hasn't moved for atleast 3 days, his eyes are still black, like normal when i picked up the shell his body became very relaxed like he's sleeping, but he didn't wake up when i gently blew on him or misted him to see if he'd move. . he has a faint fishy smell, i've had 2 crabs die so i know the very strong fishy smell, i think he might be dead, but i don't know if they smell when they molt, so i didn't want to do anything till i had some feedback on what others think

[Itsy]

Well when a crab is molting he usually has a strange smell kinda like butterscotch or iodine if he has a fishy smell im thinkin hes dead isolate him away from the other crabs until your sure. Was he like hangin outta his shell or were you could wiggle the shell n hed flop out a bit or just veggin comfortably in his shell??But id still say isolte him away from your crabs he may have something or may be getting ready to molt either way he shouldnt be in the same tank.

[Itsy]

oh and your tank should be kept at a consistent heat during the night and the day and your humidity shouldnt drop below 75%. Is your sand moist or dry??

[jeswwjd23]

right now i'm still trying to figure out a way to keep my tank at a steady rate, the room i am in is small with windows, plus it's winter time so the cold air is blowing in. when i picked him up he was hangin out of his shell. i'm pretty sure he's dead, but goi'n to wait a week or until the smell gets stronger then i'll know for sure. also i am moving into the basement in a week or two, so i'm just goin to hang in their until i can put the tank far from a window and away from an outside wall. then i know i'll have better luck with the heat and humidity staying the same when i'm down in the basement since the basement stays at a good constant rate

[Itsy]

Ill make a suggestion i have my tank not to far from my window aswell try this put a damp towel over top of you lid, damp not wet they need to breath. Also with your humidity issue try spraying your ank twice a day and have a sponge in there. Or another thing put your water dish over top of your heater it will go down a little bit faster and youll have to fill it more often but more himidity will get in the air. Also try wrapping a towel around 3 sides of your tank and taping it there for extra insulation i also have a towel underneath my tank cause whatever it is sittin on will absorb alot of the heat and with a towel there it will help prevent that and even out the heat on the bottem of the tank.

[jeswwjd23]

thanks i'll try that

[Itsy]

no problem i really hope it helps!

[Itsy]

if you need anymore help just ask