HCA: Hermit Crab Association

I feel that this is an emergency . My smallest (and most likely youngest) hermit crab is naked . I went up stairs to check on my crabbies and I saw a naked one . I love all of my crabs, but I will be honest, I worry about how small Creature is . I have never witnessed bullying, he seems fine with everyone . When I found him, his shell was half way across the crabitat . He isn't lethargic, he is walking around and everything . I have isolated him, for sake of his safety . I got him recently and only have two shells small enough that he'd even have a chance of carrying . I isolated him with a small bush thing and a bridge to hide under . I would have expected him to hide, but he is walking around and everything . I isolated him with his own shell and the two smallest ones that I have . He is being watched by me right now . I need you guys's help, you're all the best .

Rinse out his shell and the other 2 and sit them opening up in the iso with him. Leave a little water in them as well. How long have you had him?

When did he last molt?
He needs to reshell ASAP!


Crabbers unite!!!

I have had him for about a week, thank you .
And I have not had him through a molt quite yet, and he shows no signs that he wants to (other than maybe this?) . I am not sure what else to do to get him to reshell, but any more ideas are appreciated .

RIP To My Wonderful Baby Boy Sebastian . I love and miss you so dearly . ♡

Clean out a margarine container, rinse him and all the shells that may fit him in freshwater to remove any debris, and let him sit in that container with just the shells until he puts something on. Without distractions they often get back to the business of covering their business end.

Thank you, but should I give him a sponge or food in there, sand as a substrate even ?

citiliviey wrote:Thank you, but should I give him a sponge or food in there, sand as a substrate even ?

No, if there is nothing else with him he is more likely to put the shell back on. Also is he an Ecuadorian? Do you have shells with "D" openings if he is? I don't have E's so someone help me out on this, but don't they modify their shells or like shells that have been modified on the inside? Maybe he doesn't have the right kind of shells or he's just not comfortable...
Like I said, I don't have E's, just trying to brainstorm and see what's up.

It's a PP.

Oh okay, I was thinking it was this crab

I need new glasses, I can't ever tell their eye shapes unless I am sticking my nose to the screen.

soilentgringa wrote:I need new glasses, I can't ever tell their eye shapes unless I am sticking my nose to the screen.

It's his butt shape! You can tell by their backs and rears if it's a PP or E. It's actually much easier to ID them when they are naked, no need to see the eyes or claws.

Thank you guys . ♡

RIP To My Wonderful Baby Boy Sebastian . I love and miss you so dearly . ♡

And yes he is a PP, not even fully colored yet because I believe he is young .

RIP To My Wonderful Baby Boy Sebastian . I love and miss you so dearly . ♡

wodesorel wrote:Clean out a margarine container, rinse him and all the shells that may fit him in freshwater to remove any debris, and let him sit in that container with just the shells until he puts something on. Without distractions they often get back to the business of covering their business end.

Am I doing this correctly ? He has a tiny hit of water for moisture and the two shells . I check on him frequently . He was a bit lethargic this morning but is seeming better now .

RIP To My Wonderful Baby Boy Sebastian . I love and miss you so dearly . ♡

Yep! The idea is to give him no other option but to put a shell back on. If he refuses to after a few hours, you may need to put him into a shell and try to force him to wear it. Any chance you can get to a craft store and get him a few more options? He may be really uncomfortable in the two shells that he has available.