Crab missing?

[HermitCrabAddicted]

I wasn't sure if this should be posted here, but I was just doing maintenance on my tank, adding water to the sand and changing out the pools and all that stuff. I checked all of my crabs out and I am missing one. I'm pretty positive it didnt escape because I have a locking lid and i am always watching when the lid is open. I dug through the sand and checked the shell shop, I couldnt find him. Also didnt find any empty shells besides one outside the shell shop. Just curious if this has ever happened to anyone else? I thoroughly checked everywhere, and he isn't to be found.

[Kermie16]

Do u think ur missing crab is molting?


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[GotButterflies]

I would never dig through the sand. Also, check the shells really well. Sometimes crabs can go in shells too big for them and it looks like an empty shell. Also, a freshly molted crab can blend easily before it darkens.


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[HermitCrabAddicted]

I checked every empty shell twice, and checked everywhere. Nothing. But there was a shell that was outside the shell shop, buried just a tiny bit, but was sticking out of the sand, and it was full of sand. But idk if there was a crab in it before or just came out of the shell shop. Is it possible a crab could have eaten one? I didn't find any empty shells but that one, so I'm not sure.

[Rawrgeous]

They are likely buried. But check near vents, and in the bathroom. If you did have one escape you will likely find them where it is warm/humid.

[LadyJinglyJones]

But why wouldn't it be under the sub?

[Rawrgeous]

.....I just totally missed the whole dug through the sub part. I'm sorry I'm dumb today. Definitely check bathrooms/ kitchen, and near vents. Maybe put a bit of food and some moss in a sideways container and see if it attract him....

[Kermie16]

Yep. I missed that part too As Rawrgeous said, check all the areas that would be humid and dark. Hope u are able to find him soon!


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[annedow9]

I checked every empty shell twice, and checked everywhere. Nothing. But there was a shell that was outside the shell shop, buried just a tiny bit, but was sticking out of the sand, and it was full of sand. But idk if there was a crab in it before or just came out of the shell shop. Is it possible a crab could have eaten one? I didn't find any empty shells but that one, so I'm not sure.

I have the same issue a shell surfaced without a crab in it and the shell never moved for 2 days!


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[Hermiearth]

Wait I'm confused- she dug through the sand and there is still no crab??


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[Rawrgeous]

Yeah, she's thinking one got out? At least that's what I gathered.

[Hermiearth]

Yeah, she's thinking one got out? At least that's what I gathered.

That's not good- I had an escapee once who made it to my first floor from my third... it happened to me in the days I had a screen lid with a towel covering it- she always hung from it so I figure when I took the lid off I didn't see her and she fell to the floor and crawled off. She's ok now.


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[HermitCrabAddicted]

Sorry I just read all of your posts. I looked everywhere, in my room, I always keep my door closed. No escaped hermit crab. I honestly don't know if I miscounted my hermit crabs awhile back, but I could of sworn I had a certain amount. I have a locking lid, and I always check the screen when I take it off to be sure none are on it. So I'm pretty positive one wouldn't had escape. I haven't had any empty shells lying around besides the one outside the shell shop, but thats normal for some to come out of that every now and then. So I honestly don't know where that one went. I had 2 crabs die a few days ago(from moving to a new home I assume since they were new) and one missing. Haven't been that lucky lately it seems.

[Rawrgeous]

That's a bummer. I hope things turn around for you!

[HermitCrabAddicted]

Thank you