HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Really not sure if emergency here or not, but thought I'd post a pic. Adopted a hermit crab that seemed to be doing well. The last few days haven't seen his usual activity and while checking him out could possibly be an issue. I'm really not sure as my other crabs are much smaller than this guy, but I'll post a picture...

If I'm overreacting to nothing... great lol. Just wanted those with more experience to take a look. Oh and he's switched shells so many times since adopted. Went from a turbo to a iffy shell so had to order a pack of large turbos from Naples. He's since been in the shell in the picture after trying on another turbo that came with the batch.

I also don't want anything in there that could be contagious to the other ones. Do you guys see anything wrong here?

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Kydra wrote:Really not sure if emergency here or not, but thought I'd post a pic. Adopted a hermit crab that seemed to be doing well. The last few days haven't seen his usual activity and while checking him out could possibly be an issue. I'm really not sure as my other crabs are much smaller than this guy, but I'll post a picture...

If I'm overreacting to nothing... great lol. Just wanted those with more experience to take a look. Oh and he's switched shells so many times since adopted. Went from a turbo to a iffy shell so had to order a pack of large turbos from Naples. He's since been in the shell in the picture after trying on another turbo that came with the batch.

I also don't want anything in there that could be contagious to the other ones. Do you guys see anything wrong here?

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I’m not sure that I see anything wrong with his joints. What part of his legs exactly were you looking at?


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hermiwormi wrote: ↑

Sun Sep 22, 2019 4:42 pm

I’m not sure that I see anything wrong with his joints. What part of his legs exactly were you looking at?


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Was looking at the top two in the picture. Almost look worn/rotted, but as I wrote my others are much smaller and I'm still new around here. I've heard of shell rot and other issues mentioned and thought would be worth it to post a picture.

Apologize for posting in emergency section if there is nothing wrong here. Thanks!

It just looks like he's in need of a molt. It looks to me like the tips of those couple legs are broken off or worn away. A good successful molt and they will grow back perfectly.

Perhaps he just had a bad molt at one time. I would't say it looks contagious. But, that is just my opinion. Message Wodesorel and ask her to look at your thread here.

Thanks so much. Will do. Appreciate it. Thought he finally found his shell, but home from work now him and my original two are all in matching shells lol. The other two are hanging out and he's still kinda just off to the side (around 1AM now so they're up). Thanks again for the reassurance!

I'm seeing normal wear and tear. Especially in this type of shell, their legs will rub against the inside and the opening every time they come in and out. Doing so will remove color over time until their next molt, and if they do it when still soft from a molt it can get almost a rug burn appearance to it.

Interesting. I appreciate the info and reply @wodesorel

Thank you! Sorry for posting in emergency; I really just wasn't sure as my other one just came up from a molt... and the other doesn't look like this either.

wodesorel wrote:I'm seeing normal wear and tear. Especially in this type of shell, their legs will rub against the inside and the opening every time they come in and out. Doing so will remove color over time until their next molt, and if they do it when still soft from a molt it can get almost a rug burn appearance to it.

Yep, looks like a normal crabby to me too! And from what you’ve said he’s a busy one already so that can make their exo wear down just a bit faster than some others as well.
The shell rot is pretty telling- someone had a crab with it not long ago on here, but it makes brown-black spots wherever it starts to set in, and can spread from there. It’s pretty apparent from what I can tell. Thankfully haven’t been thru it myself tho.

Thanks Wodes! I didn’t know the rug burn part, that’s interesting! I have had two of my Es that had their molt interrupted, and thankfully all they lost were just a couple of the very tips. I was so scared for them.... Could’ve been soooo much worse!


Dave the Wondercrab~Pat~Maggie~ Billy~Pop~Corn~Ten~Sam~MissTeri~Tim~Gene~ Barry~Mr S~Princess + 5 Es + Mr EnDoh =my crabby clan!