How can I tell if he's alive?

bilbobaggins · Post by **bilbobaggins** » Sat May 12, 2012 12:39 pm

My largest crab went down about 2 months ago and I can see him on the bottom. It looks like he is just sitting next to his shell, but they way he is positioned implies at least some of his body is in the shell. There is still color in the limbs that I can see. Will a molted exo keep its color? And if so for how long? I'm pretty sure he is still alive but I just don't know. Please help me out.

whatthemath · Post by **whatthemath** » Sat May 12, 2012 12:55 pm

Yes, a molted exo never loses its colour, from what I understand. I may be wrong.

If he is molting, he would have eaten his exo by now, more than likely. He could just be chillin' underground.
Two months isn't that bad. I had a tiny little guy that was down for over two months, no idea what he was doing. I wouldn't worry unless it starts to smell fishy.

Craftycrabber · Post by **Craftycrabber** » Sat May 12, 2012 1:12 pm

I agree with What that you should just leave him alone unless there is a REALLY bad smell. Don't look underneath with a flashlight or anything either. He just needs dark and quiet. You will know soon enough if he does die. I have had so many molts that take a lot longer than I think it should and they eventually come up and eat and drink.

sontron · Post by **sontron** » Sat May 12, 2012 10:47 pm

Two of my hermies went under for several months, and when they came back up, I saw that they had molted. Your crab is probably just fine. If you do start to smell something fishy, try to get it out of there in some way if no other crabs are under. I say "if no others are under" because if there are others under, one of them may be dead, or you may disturb them if they are molting. If you are sure that it is this one that is dead, and there are others down at the same time, then I don't know what you should do.
Also, try and see if it is just hiding underground when you are watching. I heard that sometimes, crabs will hide under the substrate and their owners rarely/never see them, but they come up at night to get food and water.

bilbobaggins · Post by **bilbobaggins** » Mon May 14, 2012 6:14 pm

I actually looked under the tank to look at him today, and I saw that he was still alive and had in fact molted. There were pieces of his exo just laying next to his shell which tells me that he had been eating it. I am relived to see that he is still alive.

bilbobaggins · Post by **bilbobaggins** » Mon May 14, 2012 6:14 pm

relieved*

whatthemath · Post by **whatthemath** » Tue May 15, 2012 12:40 am

Horray!

I wish mine would molt by the glass where i can see them!!

HCA: Hermit Crab Association

How can I tell if he's alive?

How can I tell if he's alive?

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