HCA: Hermit Crab Association

I never uncovered him, he never went all the way under, don't think he ever has actually, not more than 1/2 of the height of his shell.

He was slightly under, not all they way, through the molt. He's done that before, as long as he was inside his fav little house. He hasn't come out of that house in almost a month. When I peek inside I see he's in his shell & the whole shell is on it's side. I see parts of his legs sticking out into...

Be careful. People throw them away thinking they're dead. It's not just a lil fishy smell, that can be normal. It's a putrid smell of death you'll never forget, you'll know it when you smell it.
Good luck, I know that feeling. 🥺

My crabbie's been molting in his favorite lil house for 3 weeks & now he's on his side w/ legs a little out & very, very weak, barely moving a leg. Had him 5 yrs. Tank is perfect. Any emergency suggestions ????!!

Since you've come to the emergency forum, we know you want a fast answer to your question. In order for us to figure out the problem as quickly as possible, we ask that you answer the following questions as best you can. Some of them may seem odd, but they're all designed to give us the information...

I just brought 1 of my crabbies up & he's dead, out of but next to shell. I saw a lil clump at edge of shell, examined w/ magnified glass, TINY white worm like spots slightly moving. I have 2 more in tank, freaking out !! ??????????!!!!

OMG, I just found 2 separate things in my tank. They each look like a slimy off white piece of a snail ! Best way I can describe them. Can not figure out how to attach a pic !! Any ideas ?? They just appeared in a matter of hours. Had crabbies for years, never seen such a thing !!

Sorry, I'm more crab savvy than 'copy & paste' savvy. I hope this will work as to answering the template questions: I use Eco Earth compressed coconut fiber substrate mixed w/ calcium sand, aprox 4" deep. I have both gauges, in the middle of the back wall of my 25 gallon tank. They both usually read...

P.S. For the record, Pinkypants is what I call my oldest crabbie.. lol.

Awe, thank you guys for the quick replies. I know their travels are horrendous. I'd love for everyone to Boycott buying them but I see them & figure better me than someone who's oblivious and will throw them in the garbage during a molt. Poor things, sooo sad. I just thought this would be the place ...

I bought 3 new crabbies at Petco about 3 weeks ago & added them to my beautiful, perfect 25 gallon tank w/ 2 others that I've had for a couple years. I work at home so was able to keep an almost constant eye on them. 1 went down to molt a few days later, that's fine. Of the other 2, the smaller one ...

The probable answer to your question is yes, she is most likely going to molt. The mold is a problem. It's true, you should moniter temperature & humidity. I have had 5 crabbies, starting about 4 yrs ago, in a 25 gallon tank. So your 10 gallon is ok. I've kept my gages, with the help of a heat lamp ...

I have 5 crabs. 3 are in molting tanks. 2 of them are slowly coming up. I put fresh water & food, then noticed loads of tiny brown bugs inside the food jar (original jar from store, always sealed, except when feeding). I'm scared, this is the jar I've used for weeks!! I've actually noticed unusually...

I've joined HCU for the purpose of asking help from everyone; take action to save countless crabbies !! I have 5, 1 from Petsmart, 4 from Petco, starting 3 yrs ago. My problem is that NEVER have ANY of the reptile "specialists" known ANY facts about temperatures, treats, shells, etc., but especially...

Be careful not to confuse it with death ! Trust me, the death smell will likely make you gag, it is unmistakable. The molt smell is tolerable, much lighter, but it is present.