Strange growth on crab claws?

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HermitWill
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Strange growth on crab claws?

Post by HermitWill » Fri Sep 11, 2020 5:39 pm

Hi! I’ve had two purple-claw land hermit crabs since 2013, and recently noticed that they’ve got a couple of strange, feathery growths on their claws (see pics. Sorry the poorly-drawn arrows and the focus; my crabbies didn’t care for having their pictures taken). I’ve been having trouble finding anything like this online.

I'm pretty sure the growth is on the carapace and not coming from underneath, but it's still hard to tell in person. It seems to attach at a little dark nodule. They haven't shed in a while, so I couldn't tell you if it stays through a molt.

Can anyone tell me what this is, if I should be worried, and if so, how I can help my lil dudes?

-Will

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Renroc
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Re: Strange growth on crab claws?

Post by Renroc » Fri Sep 11, 2020 8:50 pm

I can't see the images as the links are not working. However, hermit crabs do have lots of hair (feathery growth) on all their legs and particularly close to joints. I'd think this is nothing to worry about and you are just noticing it now as your crabs are getting bigger. BUT as I said I can't see the photos you posted so I may be incorrect. Perhaps post the images again.
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HermitWill
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Re: Strange growth on crab claws?

Post by HermitWill » Sat Sep 12, 2020 12:05 am

This doesn't quite seem like their usual crab hair to me, but I guess it could be?

Do the images come through this time?
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Re: Strange growth on crab claws?

Post by JoeHermits » Sat Sep 12, 2020 8:42 am

Yes, we see the images. All I see are normal growths of setae.


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Re: Strange growth on crab claws?

Post by JoeHermits » Sat Sep 12, 2020 8:46 am

So I just realized you’re talking about the big feathery setae on the claws. Those are called setal tufts and are used to absorb water.

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10 ... 014.985749


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HermitWill
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Re: Strange growth on crab claws?

Post by HermitWill » Sat Sep 12, 2020 5:15 pm

I am relieved to know it's not anything problematic--that's actually super cool! Thank you!
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Re: Strange growth on crab claws?

Post by CrabbyLover77 » Sat Sep 12, 2020 6:28 pm

I never knew their technical name. I always call them their "fluffs" lol.

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Re: Strange growth on crab claws?

Post by aussieJJDude » Sat Sep 12, 2020 8:46 pm

CrabbyLover77 wrote:I never knew their technical name. I always call them their "fluffs" lol. Image

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Fluff is 100% valid.

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Renroc
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Re: Strange growth on crab claws?

Post by Renroc » Sat Sep 12, 2020 8:48 pm

Exactly what I was explaining. Yep totally normal
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Re: Strange growth on crab claws?

Post by CrabbyLover77 » Sat Sep 12, 2020 8:57 pm

aussieJJDude wrote:Fluff is 100% valid.

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