things to look for before a pp molts

moonshermies · Post by **moonshermies** » Fri Nov 07, 2014 1:34 pm

yea I love the post molt look.., mine both still have the hairy legs & needle sharp points from the post purchase molt in oct.both crabs were bought as mediums crabs so I kinda "assumed"(have a problem w that wrd sometimes) its was the stress + bad conditions + bad diet, that caused the light coloring in sunset..

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YYWW · Post by **YYWW** » Fri Nov 07, 2014 2:01 pm

My crabs kept their hairy legs and toenails for a long time, too! I was starting to think i wouldnt notice molts happen right in front o my face since my crabs spend so much time digging and mosspitting. But fresh molts just seem so much more hairy!!! And color changes have so far been VERY noticeable. At this point i'm saying crabs always change color after molting, but please correct me if i'm wrong!

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Drakezilla · Post by **Drakezilla** » Fri Nov 07, 2014 2:39 pm

YYWW wrote:My crabs kept their hairy legs and toenails for a long time, too! I was starting to think i wouldnt notice molts happen right in front o my face since my crabs spend so much time digging and mosspitting. But fresh molts just seem so much more hairy!!! And color changes have so far been VERY noticeable. At this point i'm saying crabs always change color after molting, but please correct me if i'm wrong!

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I think that their diet has a lot to do with the coloring, for example, and I could be wrong but if a straw doesn't get enough beta carotene, their red color will fade back in their next molt, some even turn white. So I want to say nutrition and their diet play a lot into it. Please correct me if I'm wrong I know I read it in a sticky unless I misunderstood.

EDIT: found it!
viewtopic.php?t=92554

Also, prior to a molt their eyes can look very cloudy. Mine has never done that, he seems to just go under for months, molt when the mood hits him XDD

teardrop · Post by **teardrop** » Sat Nov 08, 2014 1:48 am

mine dont have toe nails or hair that I can see

Drakezilla · Post by **Drakezilla** » Sat Nov 08, 2014 3:49 am

If yours are either female ( no hair ever ) or very young they won't have either. Wait a few molts until they're grown as they become juveniles. ie; Mediums or bigger, I think.

teardrop · Post by **teardrop** » Sat Nov 08, 2014 3:52 am

ok yea they are pretty small one is very tiny and cute he and his shell is only about the size of a nickel lol

CallaLily · Post by **CallaLily** » Sat Nov 08, 2014 7:27 am

It's hard to notice setae on very small crabs but it's there. All of them have it, male or female, big or small, it's just easier to see on some crabs - especially after a molt.

I've had crabs hold coloring through several molts. It can change with molts but not always and food does have a bit of an impact but it mostly comes down to the individual crab, from my experience.

Pre-Molt Signs

When a hermit crab is about to molt, you may notice an increase in food and water consumption. Sometimes they'll drink an excessive amount of salt water, and seek out more high protein foods than usual. They may begin digging holes all over the tank and even stay in them periodically to test them out. If the crab is expecting a growth spurt it might change into a shell that seems too large right before it buries. Other crabs choose a shell that may be a bit tighter that what they usually have on. Sometimes the crab will start to slow down and may appear lethargic. Often when a crab is about to molt, its old exoskeleton will appear dull and ashy and its toenails and hair (called setae) will be worn down. If they have good care while in captivity there may be no warning signs at all.

http://hermitcrabassociation.com/phpBB/ ... 23&t=92527

Ryry · Post by **Ryry** » Sat Nov 08, 2014 12:34 pm

Fur fuzzy

HCA: Hermit Crab Association