HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Hello dear Crabber Parents & Experts!
I am reaching out as I am wondering if anyone can help me understand what is happening with my Herbie. I noticed yesterday a white patch on his leg. It's not fuzzy but looks like he brushed against wet paint. I tried to see if it was white sand & brush it off but no luck. Hi color is good due to him being a month out of a 2month molt. He's eating well & is using both water sources. He's is active & climbs a ton with digging when he's bored of climbing.

Only change is that I did add two new crabs to the tank 3 weeks back but they have been buried since I got them here except for Rocket the medium one. Rocket has been out perhaps a handful of times but was badly in need of a molt. Herbie is large & has been a single crab for 3+ years. I've had him for 4 years this coming summer '24. So perhaps it's a sign of stress? Perhaps he ran into Rocket in a tunnel?

I am in search of a larger tank, they are in a 30gallon now but Herbie needs more room & I want more molting space so looking for a 90 or 110 gallon in the coming weeks. The tank temp humidity is between 50 & 80 - average in the 60 range. Temp is low at night of 73 to 80 during the day-average 75.

Any ideas to the white patch? Happy to load pictures to help if someone would be so kind as to tell me how. I tried clicking the image button & only get this - - I am not see how to upload.

Thanks for the help in advance!

I’ve seen weird patches on crabs that didn’t molt right. Do you think the patch was there for a while? It could be from just brushing against something like the side of the cavern while still soft.

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This sentence is included in your post:
"The tank temp humidity is between 50 & 80 - average in the 60 range. Temp is low at night of 73 to 80 during the day-average 75."

I am thinking you have a typo, is one of those numbers the humidity and one of them the temperature?

Is the discoloration where the edge of his shell rests when he's either pulled in tight or in a normal resting position? The coloration of their exoskeleton is on the very outside, so they can scrape themselves just enough to where the more inner white part is exposed.

The discoloration is further away from the shell edge. He’s actually too large to get himself all the way in.

He didn’t have the white last month when he emerged from his molt.

You are correct the temp verbiage-thanks for pointing out. Temp average 75 / humidity between 60& 80.

Over added more insulation to see if the temp can move up. He’s always had a 75 temp so didn’t think that would be the stressor.

Thanks for the replies. Here’s pictures. Love to know your thoughts.





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He's cute! I don't see anything concerning about the coloration on the leg, but see what the other admins think.

Your temp is fine at 75, but I would see if you can keep the humidity closer to 80 all the time....60 is a bit low.

curlysister wrote:He's cute! I don't see anything concerning about the coloration on the leg, but see what the other admins think.

Your temp is fine at 75, but I would see if you can keep the humidity closer to 80 all the time....60 is a bit low.

Thank you!


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Might have rubbed against something at the wrong time. That’ll probably disappear after the next molt


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Thanks for replying, that makes me feel better.
Appreciate everyone for taking the time to reply.
Take care!


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