HCA: Hermit Crab Association

So I have had my crabs for 3 years now and in that time I have had my fair share of surface molts. I know what to do now and not freak out and panic like the first time it happened anyway If you have never experienced a surface molt I must say IMO it is one of the true wonders of nature. It is absolutely amazing to see it happen and also to see that the crab just knows exactly what to do to survive , if you have never experienced it that is not bad either by any means but I truly do hope that at some point you can see one in person and truly enjoy nature at its finest. Anyway somethings I have noticed post-molt with my crabs that surface molt, but first some background tank info. I have 38 crabs, 6 species, in a 75 gallon tank. It is a mix of substrate probably 60/40 sand to EE but on one end of each tank it is either 100% sand or EE to give my crabs a choice.
Now on to my point, sorry for rambling , I have noticed at least with my clan that once a crab decides to surface molt and recovers, come time for the next molt he/she surface molts again. I personally have yet to have one surface molt then return to molt underground the next time, maybe I am just "lucky" that way. Another thing I feel is that a surface molt is not a stressful as any other type of molt, it is for the owner, but not the crab as long as the environment is stable and humid. I guess if they feel comfortable enough to molt above ground that can't be to bad of sign. Also I have noticed my surface molters recover and return to normal activities much faster than underground molters. Maybe that is nature kicking in and getting them through the vulnerable stage quicker but it is remarkable how quickly they return. I have had crabs return in a week to full health and back to normal where as my underground molters of the same species and size take a month or more. I think they are just making everything just right in their "nest" and not actually molting the whole time but it still takes away from how long I can see them . So I am curious of those of you that have experienced surface molts have you noticed any of the same things? What are your thoughts on surface molts?

*NOTE*- These are just MY opinions and general observation of MY crabs in their environment and no scientific proof exists, it may be different for everybody so please keep an open mind when discussing. There are so many variables to tanks that I feel there is no true "right" way, I think if something works for you and your crabs then it is the "right" way.

Let the discussion begin

Interesting read.

The times I would only witness surface molts (or at least, the end of ecdysis) is when I would keep crabs solo in a tank, for both land hermits and land non-hermit crabs.

However, my observation for the above was when I used to keep them in very coarse gravel as well (yes, yes, the "old school" way of crabbing.) When I used to keep groups of crabs in setups of shallow coarse gravel substrate, I'd never experience surface molts (but lots of deaths, though...)

Currently, all my molters seem to be subterranean - not even under my tank decor - always at least inches deep in substrate; your observation of surface molters doing repeat surface molting sounds really interesting as I've never heard or read of that before.

I've only ever dealt with one surface molt (knock on wood) and that was years ago when we had our very first hermit crab and didn't have a proper 'tat. We had one of those KK with gravel, commercial foods with fresh foods only offered occasionally, only freshwater, no thought to temp or humidity. Unfortunately, that crab died shortly after the molt.

Thank goodness I found this forum with our next attempt at keeping hermits.

Sebastian surface molted due to poor conditions, then molted again under ground. Vertigo did the same, they both dug down to molt the second time. Not had any other crabs surface molt, even my tiny little E who only had one leg and his lp dug down.

Excellent info.. Thanks for sharing... I have not had any surface molts until Just now!! a few months ago i think around August 09 I (with the help of members of HCA rescued a jumbo in my area in bad conditions. I think it is in the archives now. I was waiting for him to molt and I was worried for him. I didn't know how he was forced to survive before I got him and if he even would survive a molt. He wasn't on top of the substrate in plain view, he was in the little "den". (a container with a hole in the lid for them to go inside) I could only see the swirley end of his african turbo shell for about a week and a half. (my other crabs were in and out of the den and never bothered him) I just did a deep clean and he has pointy toenails. I wonder if he was forced to surface molt prior to me getting him and went for that again???? They are very interesting little creatures.

Ugh i think one of my crabs is going to surface molt... my first time having a crab do so.

He was on a branch, just kind of hanging out from his shell with this FREAKIN HUGE molt sack sticking out of the side, couldn't even withdraw halfway into his shell. Now he's very inactive with his eyes down. Is this supposed to happen?