HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Well. My kiddo got some crabbies that were no longer an interest to her, so I decided to take the reins. I got everything ready for the new tank (we’ve had them for about 2 months now and all went down to molt pretty immediately) 3 have finished their molt and resurfaced. However, the biggest one had not. I told the kiddo to gently bring the ones on top to me to put in the new tank...and she brought me 4...and an exoskeleton.

I immediately put jumbo under a coconut hide with the exoskeleton, some damp moss and some honey. He’s back in his old shell, and I could feel him wiggle in the shell, but I’m nervous.

Should I do anything else or just pray for the best? He’s kind of pale looking (still colorful but washed out) I’m no crabby expert but I feel like the poor guy JUST molted. The ENTIRE exoskeleton was next to it, my kiddo thought it was dead- but it’s completely in the shell.

Please help!

Hi!

You should isolate the guy you believe was molting, along with his exoskeleton. A molting crab gives off a yummy smell to the other crabs, and they may try to attack him. You can isolate him in another tank or container. Or you can put him in a small container with holes in the lid, along with a little of his food and water in the main tank. This will keep all the conditions the same for him, but separate him from the others at the same time.

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