HCA: Hermit Crab Association

I was right by Petsmart last night, so I had to stop in to have a peek at the crabs. I have/had decided not to buy any new crabs unless they look like a new shipment, so I was honestly just there to look.

My DD alerted me to a naked crab. I looked, and this very small crab(not teeny) had molted VERY recently. It was as pink and as naked as could be. It was strong enough to crawl around, but its exo was still all pretty much intact a couple inches away. It was on a shell hunt. I quickly looked around for an unpainted shell about the right size and found one. It promptly hopped into the shell I chose. I decided I had to take it home b/c it stood NO chance in the dry store tank w/ nowhere to hide. I will not be surprised if he passes, but I figured I would try to give him a chance at my house.

This is what I have done so far:
-I took his exo home w/ us.
-I put him in a small KK w/ damp sand. I dug a little hole in the sand, placed his exo at the bottom of the hole, placed him on top of the exo, then I put damp moss lightly over him.
-The whole KK is in the big tank w/ my large, molting Figaro so I can monitor temp/hum.
-I didn't give the crab any food since I've read that he needs to concentrate on eating his exo first. correct?
-I also didn't get him wet b/c I've read once on here not to soak a newly molted crab. Is that right? The sand and moss are moist, and the hum is around 86.

Do I need to put water in the KK w/ the crab? Will he be looking for it while he hardens up? If I should put water in, how much? The normal small pool? The KK is pretty small, so there isn't much room for anything beyond a feeding-sized shell.

Presuming the crab makes it, when is he ready to be put in the regular new crabby ISO? I was thinking I would move him when he begins crawling around looking for food/water/whatever.

I found a naked molter at Petco, too. In fact, his name is "Streaker". It sounds like you are doing everything correctly. Has he begun to eat this exo? And yes, I would add water to the KK. Little guys like yours don't take a long time to harded & get around. You might also put a small shell of honey & cuttlebone in there, too.

I would think that he will be ready to join the other crabs just a soon as he seems hard enough, and is displaying normal activity level. With a small crab, that will probably be in about a week or two.

Thank you, Kathy.


He is still alive(!) and appears to have eaten some exo. I have it nice and dark for him, so hopefully he will be happy and get healthy in there.

I added the honey and cuttlebone and found a ceramic dish for water that just fit in the KK. I put a pinch of salt in it, so it's more brackish than fresh. He will have to wait until he is walking around and harder for a water choice in the main ISO.

How's he doing?

Since you asked...I just checked on him, and he is still alive!!! He has eaten all but some crumbles and 2 leg ends of his exo. I am so excited. This is making me feel better that my little Vigo will probably pull through his "surface" molt, as well. (Vigo has started eating his exo...YAY! The exo is still sort of sitting upright in the opening of his shell, so it looks like he's eating away at himself...very strange.) Thank you for asking.

tentatively

Well done Monica!

GREAT NEWS!!! CONGRATS!!!! [smilie=clap.gif]

hoep he pulls thru, I ahve a moulter now too. Very trying time.

I don't personally like the thought of buying a naked molter...but...

CONGRADS!!! I hope he pulls through.

Yay! on saving lil guy's/gal's day!

**UPDATE**
I just saw the naked molter eating at the food dish I left for him/her!!!
S/He looks nice and hard and normal colored.

Yay! for the naked crabby! Mabes he/she jus likes to be "free"

Well, s/he isn't naked anymore. I just don't have a name for the baby yet, so I call it the naked molter. S/He has stayed in the shell s/he hopped into at the store.

When I get to know the baby and its gender, I will come up w/ a name. I'm leaning towards Marvel.

Marvel is a perfect name for him!!!!

The naked molter I brought home is named "Streaker", which is not near a cute a name as Marvel! I also have "Miracle", who I found in a plastic bin of extra shells, at Petco. She was tucked back in her shell so far, the clerk didn't see her & tossed her in with the spare shells. I have no idea how long she was in there!

*Kathy* wrote:I also have "Miracle", who I found in a plastic bin of extra shells, at Petco. She was tucked back in her shell so far, the clerk didn't see her & tossed her in with the spare shells. I have no idea how long she was in there!

I remember reading that story. Wow, what a LUCKY crab!