HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Hey guys! I posted back in April about being a new crab owner, and things have been going really well for the most part.

So far, my biggest baby, Jojo, has switched shells twice and seems to be really happy and active! However, I’m a little worried about my smaller hermie, Dio, as I haven’t seen him in quite a while.

They both were fairly timid when I first got them, and disappeared for a while (which I assume was to molt). Jojo came out of it in a new shell that I had bought and cleaned when I first got them, but Dio had stayed in his original. Months passed, and I eventually got to hold them both and things have seemed good.

I’m a little worried now though that I may have rushed it with Dio, as I haven’t seen him for what feels like a long time (possibly over a month??). Is it possible that he’s just molting for an extra long period of time, or should I be concerned? I’ve made sure their humidity and temperature has stayed up and tried to be careful about keeping their dishes clean, so I’m hoping this is normal and I’m just ill informed since I’ve had them for less than a year.

Please let me know if I should be worried or not, or what I should do!

Thanks in advance,

Sarah


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How large is the missing crab? My smallest just molted in just over a week and is about the size of a dime. Meds can take about 4-6 weeks to molt, large about 8 weeks, and jumbo even longer.

HermitofHermitCrabs wrote:How large is the missing crab? My smallest just molted in just over a week and is about the size of a dime.

I would say with his shell he’s probably like the size of a quarter or a little bigger? He’s the smaller of the two.


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SarahLovesHermies wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 30, 2020 11:33 pm

I would say with his shell he’s probably like the size of a quarter or a little bigger? He’s the smaller of the two.


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It’s probably still molting then. If you get to around 7-8 weeks and he hasn’t surfaced I’d start to worry.

HermitofHermitCrabs wrote: It’s probably still molting then. If you get to around 7-8 weeks and he hasn’t surfaced I’d start to worry.

Okay, I’ll keep an eye out. I hope he’s okay.


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But even if you don't see him in months don't go digging. If he is dead there is nothing you can do. If he is still moulting you may disturb him and kill him anyway.

GOOD NEWS! DIO finally came out, he was just molting! Thank God.

Thanks so much for all the advice guys!!


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SarahLovesHermies wrote:GOOD NEWS! DIO finally came out, he was just molting! Thank God.

Thanks so much for all the advice guys!!


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Yay!

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SarahLovesHermies wrote: ↑

Fri Oct 02, 2020 5:56 pm

GOOD NEWS! DIO finally came out, he was just molting! Thank God.

Thanks so much for all the advice guys!!


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Good news.