HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Hi all,
have hardly been on this forum, but i’m quite concerned.
I was just watching my 10 year old Aussie Hermit Crab want to change shells, he has hardly ever changed, but picked a new one for the second time a few weeks ago. When he took his ‘body’ out of the shell, it’s green? I’ve never seen this before, typically it’s a pale tan. Is he ill? Maybe an age issue? He ended up not swapping into the new shell, despite it being the proper size for him.
I’m not sure how to add a photo from my phone, help with that would be appreciated.

Thanks

omg did i accidentally post this thread twice three times?
I am severely struggling with this layout forgive me

It’s not your fault, the forum software has been bugging out for years. It’s due for an update.

I also don’t know what it means for the abdomen to be green


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Did he molt recently? I've had purple pinchers change shells and show florescent yellow on their abdomens before, have also had joints show up bright orange. It tends to be a temporary pigment burst that fades before their next molt.

wodesorel wrote: ↑

Sun Feb 11, 2024 11:05 am

Did he molt recently? I've had purple pinchers change shells and show florescent yellow on their abdomens before, have also had joints show up bright orange. It tends to be a temporary pigment burst that fades before their next molt.

Not that i'm aware of. He did go down for about 4 days but typically he takes 2 weeks at least to moult, usually a month or more.
He swapped into a new shell this morning by the way.
I read something that said hermit crabs can be a bit green from lack of carotene? So i've increased that in his diet.