HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Hi, I posted I believe two years ago first time about Pinchy. She lost two limbs after molting on surface at that time. Thought she'd might be a goner but succeeded and went down for a month a regenerated the two left legs. Healthy crab for sure back then.

Now another dilemma, she was underground about a month ago (possibly molting). i noticed the other crab (we only have two) had occupied the shell Pinchy had down below. Pinchy came back up that day with no shell and got into another shell she occupied before. The only thing is looks like she battled to keep her shell but lost it anyway. She lost a leg on right side. I noticed a damaged big claw (she can't use it to defend or break food apart). However, I saw her drink water and eat especially the calcium supplement with her smaller claw. Just as I did upon recommendation two years ago I put some organic honey and peanut butter in tank which she did eat for energy. This time she stayed on top but unfortunately I didn't move quick enough to separate the other crab and Pinchy lost half a leg on right side but I have moved the other crab to another tank. My concern is she's been all the way in her shell and has not moved for about the past three weeks in the same spot. I did pick her shell up gently and did not see any movement. During the first week if I sprayed water on her limb sticking out she would move it but now she won't even move if I spray some water on her leg. I have noticed a bright white substance around the injured claw (could this be the gel I hear that forms to regenerate limbs, not sure?).

I am wondering if Pinchy is stationary and not moving because of her regenerating her limbs. My question is based on other people's experience could this just be that. I looked inside her shell and no movement not even her antennae. My question is, could she be in some kind of stasis regenerating her limbs? Her body looks normal (except for white substance around damaged limbs). I don't want to think the worst because she had a complete recovery two years ago and I was amazed. Back then I witnessed an above ground molting with exoskeleton but she regrew her lost limbs underground so no way of telling if this is all it is. I've been reading that it could take months to regenerate limbs but last time it only took a month to grow back two legs.

Btw, info on sites say if your crab is dead you will smell a fishy smell. The tank has an odor but it's been 7 months since I cleaned it. I wanted to clean it sooner but Pinchy was underground. So I don't think I smell a fishy smell but maybe typical odor from tank. Any advice or input would be greatly appreciated. Thank you! John

PS, I have pics but don't know how to post it on this forum.

For Pics, if you have them on a smart phone you can download the tapatalk app and its really easy to post pics that way..

I am hoping for the best for you.. hopefully one of the mods will answer soon

Gels limbs are very tiny, flesh colored, and look sort of like a miniature hook shaped gummy bear that will be growing from the broken off joint. If you're seeing something white that is enveloping the limbs, that sounds more like mold. I'm so sorry.

Jlmills525 wrote: ↑

Thu Aug 04, 2022 5:59 pm

For Pics, if you have them on a smart phone you can download the tapatalk app and its really easy to post pics that way..

I am hoping for the best for you.. hopefully one of the mods will answer soon

Thanks for tips to get pics up. I am going to post update now. Doesn't look good

wodesorel wrote: ↑

Fri Aug 05, 2022 6:09 am

Gels limbs are very tiny, flesh colored, and look sort of like a miniature hook shaped gummy bear that will be growing from the broken off joint. If you're seeing something white that is enveloping the limbs, that sounds more like mold. I'm so sorry.

Hey I looked at Pinchy. Doesn't look good. Not sure if it's mold its white-ish around the exoskeleton of her claw. I did see the gel stuff in middle of claw when she was up and moving. I am going to post update now and see what people think. Thanks for response. Maybe you can give me some feedback when I give update.

Hey everyone, thank you to some of you who responded. I have an update and it doesn't look good. I picked Pinchy up after smelling a stronger odor in tank. She does have a fishy smell. Just to be sure i sprayed just a little water on her leg and inside her shell. No response, no movement not even her antennae (like I previously said). I had my daughter smell her shell too up close and she agrees. Definitely an odor. I have read on other sites that sometimes a sick crab can put out a pheromone that smells but in your opinion and maybe by experience, anybody out there, if I sprayed some water on her should I have seen some kind of reaction or movement from her. There are no signs of life and with no reaction from spraying water on her makes me think the outcome is not good. I did read that if a crab is dead it would fall out of it's shell, maybe, but that didn't happen when tilted shell. She's in shell pretty good all the way in. Don't know if she's just stuck (dead) or what. Was hoping she was still alive. Either way I might just leave Pinchy in separate tank and see what happens. Only time will tell. Eventually I'll know. If she is alive she'll need to eat and drink. If you saw my post from two years ago I was giving up hope but Pinchy made a remarkable recovery.

Here's what I am considering and see what you all think (assuming Pinchy is dead): 1) Just keep the other crab by itself with no other companions (I know they're sociable and prefer two or more tank mates) 2) Get another crab to keep the other company (however, my daughter said if another crab dies your back in same situation) plus I wouldn't get a small one because our crabs are little larger (shell opening is about 1 1/2 inches) 3) OR give the other crab to a hermit crab enthusiasts who has other crabs (fyi, I won't give him to just anybody like the kid next door who has no experience). My daughter said she wants what's best for her hermie (the crabs are hers btw). Any advice you can give is much appreciated. We want some closure and how to move forward. Thanks everyone! John

Oh I forgot something, question? I read that it might be okay to let the other crab eat the dead crab like they do in the wild for nutrients and to possibly claim it's shell. However, I read that if the dead crab had a sickness (my opinion died from stress and injury but not sure of course) that it might infect other crabs as well. So I am torn on that one. Don't want the other crab to be harmed from eating the other dead crab. Sounds morbid lol but that's what happens in the wild, right. Thanks!