HCA: Hermit Crab Association

I know that when they first molt, they are lighter, but when their exoskeleton hardens, and they start getting back to normal, is their color different, or does it go back to the way it was?

Because I have the most beautiful purple pincher ive ever seen. She's got bright redish pink legs on top, and the underside of the legs is a really pretty cream color. Her pincher is a very nice purple color. And I really don't want it to change.

Thanks!

Crabs can change color from molts. They can either fade in color or enhance in color.

If you feed crabs food that is high in pigment molecules (astaxanthin, zeaxanthin, carotene), the color will be enhanced. If the crab has a bad diet, it will fade.

When the crab first molts, it will be very soft and a dim color (most of the time you do not see this phase because it is underground). When the exoskeleton hardens, that is when the true color will appear.

I belive it also has to do with the individual crabs personality. Despite having access to the same food two of mine are opposites Jack is very pale but Barbossa is a deep beetroot colour I assume this is probably due to Barbossa being first to the food bowl while everyone else is lounging around lol