HCA: Hermit Crab Association

What do you do if your hermit crab abandons their shell right after molting and isn't moving but is definitely still alive and you can't get him back into a shell

If he doesnt reshell he will die! Iso in good conditions clean his abdomen in fresh dechlorinated water along with his shell. Then gently coax his body in. Repeat with breaks until he gives up.

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Try to get him back in his shell also if he is giving of a strong fishy scent he is dead. (Don't confuse with molt smell which is like chemical smell)

As stated before you'll want to get the crab into a shell as soon as possible. If he won't go into one himself, you will have to do so for him by picking him up right in front of his legs, behind his head. Rinse a shell that is slightly too large, and is as lightweight as possible in de-chlorinated water, and rinse the crabs abdomen gently as well before gently uncurling it and sliding it into the shell. He should grab on and situate himself in the shell. Some find that using a cup with a bit of substrate and the shell in the bottom can help with crabs that won't take shells as the crab has "no place to go" other than than in the shell. If you don't have an iso tank, keep the cup in the main tank with good conditions, and cover the top with a saucer/ foil to keep him safe from the other crabs. I would include capful of de-chlorinated salt and fresh water as well as some a small amount of food. Honey is a good healing food as it has natural antibodies in it. If he won't stay shelled as mentioned above it is likely he won't make it. :/ I'm going to attach a link to the emergency template, as this will help us see what your conditions are like, and if there's anything that might have contributed to this. Good luck!

Link: viewtopic.php?t=46102