Crab Not Molting

[Jxo037]

I’ve had 4 purple pincher hermit crabs for 3 years that I got off the boardwalk (boy I did not realize the care that went into crabs!) Three have molted countless times but one seems to not want to molt. I have freshwater, salt water, fluker’s sand at the recommended depth for molting, a variety of foods, toys, keep the tank at 75F and 85% humidity, provide a variety of shells, a hut for shelter, rarely handle them so as not to stress them out, and keep them in a 20 gallon tank. Any suggestions on what I might be doing wrong that’s making this little guy unhappy?

[alliszewczynski]

Hi!

Typically hermit crabs need 10 gallons of space per crab. It could be that there is not enough room for your one hermit crab to feel comfortable molting. If you are able to, I would recommend obtaining a 40 gallon tank as soon as you are able to! I am not sure if this may be contributing to the molting issue, but the Fluker's sand can be toxic to crabs and don't offer everything that they need. You can make your own substrate by mixing 5 parts of play sand (you can find this at any hardware store) with 1 part of coconut substrate! I think that if you make these changes it could help out the little guy! Having both types of water is great and I am sure they absolutely love the variety of foods and toys you have for them! Having a few shell options for each hermit crab is important with them feeling safe enough to molt as well (just make sure not to have any painted shells as these are toxic to them)!

I think you are doing great! But these changes could possibly make it so that they are a little more comfortable and for your little guy to molt!

[HermitGuy3]

Fluker's sand is actually the only sand marketed for hermit crabs that is actually safe. While play sand and eco earth is cheaper, you can use the Fluker's substrate. If the crabs are on the smaller side then they don't need 10 gallons per crab.
Here is the link to measuring your crabs for tank size:
viewtopic.php?t=92541

[curlysister]

HG3 is correct, the link shows how many gallons and what size tank depending on the size of crabs. And the Fluker's Hermit Crab Beach sand is totally safe.

How large are your crabs? When you say he doesn't molt, do you mean like never in the time you have had him, or like compared to the other crabs you have?