long molt

[jmafnas92]

While doing research I learned hermit crabs can take 4-8 weeks to molt. All 4 of my crabs buried to molt around the same time. 2 went down and about 2 weeks later the other 2 went down as well. The first 2 took about 5-7 weeks to molt. The third took about the same amount of time 5-7 weeks. Its been About 5 weeks since the 3rd emerged and I still haven't seen the 4th crab. Which means he's been down molting for 11-12 weeks. Significantly longer than his siblings and they're all about the same size. He would be about the second largest. If the bunch. I'm starting to get pretty worried. I heard if it smells bad he could've died but I don't smell anything abnormal. I'm not sure what to do at this point. I know it can be dangerous to dig him up and check on him but I'm not very hopeful that he's still alive. I also have no idea where he is either.

[NCgirl19]

I'm not as experienced as some of the others on here but I did read somewhere that if they die while buried under the sub you probably wouldn't notice a smell. I'm not saying he has passed or trying to worry you. I'm sure someone with more experience will chime in.

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[Giner13]

One of my crabbies molted for 4 months!!
And I've got another down currently that's already been under for at least a month & a half.
I wouldn't get worriedthey know what they're doing. Definitely don't dig as you would risk stressing him out.


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[jmafnas92]

I'm not as experienced as some of the others on here but I did read somewhere that if they die while buried under the sub you probably wouldn't notice a smell. I'm not saying he has passed or trying to worry you. I'm sure someone with more experience will chime in.

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Thank you for the reply. Any help is much appreciated. And I hope so. I need some advice. I've only had my crabs for about 6 months so this is very new to me. Little overwhelming. Im glad they all molted like right away. But I would obviously like it more if they all molted sucessfully.

[Hermias_mom]

I'm a new crabber too, so I'm still figuring this stuff out myself, but I look at it like this - if he's dead, he's dead, and you digging him up isn't going to help that. (You would have my full and complete condolences!!! Hopefully he isn't dead!!!) However, if he's having a difficult molt and needs some extra time to work through it, you digging him up could stress him out and possibly lead to death. So I think the best thing to do is wait and see. I've heard of crabs coming up from six month, nine month, and longer molts, so if I were you, I'd try and give him the best chance of survival by waiting, and not going to look for him. It's super hard, I know.

Also, you can't judge how old a crab is by size. Some double in size in a year of captivity in good conditions, and some crabs can occasionally shrink during a molt, if it's a difficult one, and they're short on nutrients or trying to repair damage. So you may have had 4 crabs the same size, but your fourth one is older. Often older crabs take longer to molt.

My two cents.

[NCgirl19]

I understand - all of mine went down for molts 9 weeks ago. The first 2 came up after 6 weeks and I now have all but 2 up.

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[jmafnas92]

I'm a new crabber too, so I'm still figuring this stuff out myself, but I look at it like this - if he's dead, he's dead, and you digging him up isn't going to help that. (You would have my full and complete condolences!!! Hopefully he isn't dead!!!) However, if he's having a difficult molt and needs some extra time to work through it, you digging him up could stress him out and possibly lead to death. So I think the best thing to do is wait and see. I've heard of crabs coming up from six month, nine month, and longer molts, so if I were you, I'd try and give him the best chance of survival by waiting, and not going to look for him. It's super hard, I know.

Also, you can't judge how old a crab is by size. Some double in size in a year of captivity in good conditions, and some crabs can occasionally shrink during a molt, if it's a difficult one, and they're short on nutrients or trying to repair damage. So you may have had 4 crabs the same size, but your fourth one is older. Often older crabs take longer to molt.

My two cents.

Yeah I understand what you're saying. It is hard. I'm hoping he's just a little slower than the rest and I sure hope he's okay. I shouldn't play favorites but he's my favorite. Not shy at all. He's my little crab embassador. I brought him to my son's school and did a presentation to all 5 first grade classes. The kids got to hold him and learned a lot about hermit crabs I did lots of research and I know digging them up is about the worst thing you can do. So I know that isn't a good option. i just wanted to make sure this is "normal" and i shouldn't worry too much.

[Hermias_mom]

I'm a new crabber too, so I'm still figuring this stuff out myself, but I look at it like this - if he's dead, he's dead, and you digging him up isn't going to help that. (You would have my full and complete condolences!!! Hopefully he isn't dead!!!) However, if he's having a difficult molt and needs some extra time to work through it, you digging him up could stress him out and possibly lead to death. So I think the best thing to do is wait and see. I've heard of crabs coming up from six month, nine month, and longer molts, so if I were you, I'd try and give him the best chance of survival by waiting, and not going to look for him. It's super hard, I know.

Also, you can't judge how old a crab is by size. Some double in size in a year of captivity in good conditions, and some crabs can occasionally shrink during a molt, if it's a difficult one, and they're short on nutrients or trying to repair damage. So you may have had 4 crabs the same size, but your fourth one is older. Often older crabs take longer to molt.

My two cents.

Yeah I understand what you're saying. It is hard. I'm hoping he's just a little slower than the rest and I sure hope he's okay. I shouldn't play favorites but he's my favorite. Not shy at all. He's my little crab embassador. I brought him to my son's school and did a presentation to all 5 first grade classes. The kids got to hold him and learned a lot about hermit crabs I did lots of research and I know digging them up is about the worst thing you can do. So I know that isn't a good option. i just wanted to make sure this is "normal" and i shouldn't worry too much.

I have a favorite crab too - she's the one I always see climbing around, and she isn't scared of me at all. I totally get it - I would be so upset if something happened to her. From what I can tell, there's a wide variety of molting times, some much longer than 4-8 weeks, and each crab is an individual about it too - molt times can vary based on the individual crab. I'm not an expert in this, but based on my research I think you're still inside the normal window.

[Vic Future]

Those long molts do make you worry. This June ill be 1 year crabbin and I am still not used to "losing" my crabs for weeks and sometimes a month + at a time.
As Jmafnas said : digging up a slow molter would really stress him out. And if hes walking on the Beach in the Sky, theres nothing more you can do. I hope for the best for your crabbie.

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[GotButterflies]

The things we worry about as crabbers We've all been where you are! Hang in there! The long black pointy tips and hairy legs will be worth it! Think positive


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[Giner13]

Exactly as GB said!!


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