Help my crab is missing three legs

Where we discuss the behavior of our hermit crabs, as in fights, pecking orders, shell swaps, etc. Please post all naked-crab posts in the Emergency forum.

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A_HandyCrab
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Help my crab is missing three legs

Post by A_HandyCrab » Sun Feb 07, 2016 8:35 pm

My crab is still alive

He went down under for awhile and I got worried because I haven't seen him go up for food and water for a little bit so I dug around and found him with three detached half legs

What should I do ?


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Last edited by A_HandyCrab on Mon Feb 08, 2016 10:18 am, edited 1 time in total.

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AutumnHermie
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Location: Avondale, Arizona

Re: Help my crab is missing three legs

Post by AutumnHermie » Mon Feb 08, 2016 1:36 pm

Never ever ever dig up a crab! Does he look pink?? How long ago did you get him?? You may have disturbed him while he was molting. Please fill out these questions: http://www.hermitcrabassociation.com/ph ... 27&t=46102

And please take a look at the care guide: http://www.hermitcrabassociation.com/ph ... 51&t=92457
Owner of 12 PP's , 4 Blue's, and 2 straw's.


Topic author
A_HandyCrab
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Re: Help my crab is missing three legs

Post by A_HandyCrab » Sat Feb 13, 2016 11:10 am

He was not pink I know I'm not suppose to but I got worried that he got stuck and couldn't move like my last crab


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Topic author
A_HandyCrab
Posts: 71
Joined: Thu Aug 06, 2015 4:11 pm

Re: Help my crab is missing three legs

Post by A_HandyCrab » Sat Feb 13, 2016 11:11 am

I got him almost 6-7 months ago


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Topic author
A_HandyCrab
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Re: Help my crab is missing three legs

Post by A_HandyCrab » Sat Feb 13, 2016 11:12 am

The three legs where disfigured like he tried using them and they got crushed


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CallaLily
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Re: Help my crab is missing three legs

Post by CallaLily » Sat Feb 13, 2016 11:15 am

Can you post a picture of the crab?


Topic author
A_HandyCrab
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Re: Help my crab is missing three legs

Post by A_HandyCrab » Sat Feb 13, 2016 11:15 am

He's shy and doesn't really come out of his shell I'll try though


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Topic author
A_HandyCrab
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Joined: Thu Aug 06, 2015 4:11 pm

Re: Help my crab is missing three legs

Post by A_HandyCrab » Sat Feb 13, 2016 11:17 am

Yea nope he's not cooperating


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CallaLily
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Re: Help my crab is missing three legs

Post by CallaLily » Sat Feb 13, 2016 11:17 am

Try for an in-tank pic, so as to disturb him as little as possible. I'm just having trouble picturing his injuries.


Topic author
A_HandyCrab
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Re: Help my crab is missing three legs

Post by A_HandyCrab » Sat Feb 13, 2016 11:19 am

He rarely comes out of his shell


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CallaLily
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Re: Help my crab is missing three legs

Post by CallaLily » Sat Feb 13, 2016 11:22 am

Does he have pointy leg tips and a lot of setae (hair), showing that he recently molted? Was there exo nearby?

Maybe an attack or bad molt. He'll regrow any missing limbs in his next molt or two. If the legs are crushed, not missing (not sure which it is?), he may drop them. You may need to keep him isolated until after he completes his next successful molt.
Last edited by CallaLily on Sat Feb 13, 2016 11:24 am, edited 1 time in total.

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CallaLily
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Re: Help my crab is missing three legs

Post by CallaLily » Sat Feb 13, 2016 11:24 am

A_HandyCrab wrote:He rarely comes out of his shell


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Can you please go over your tank conditions, just so we can double check all is well there.

Questions found here:
http://www.hermitcrabassociation.com/ph ... hp?t=46102
Last edited by CallaLily on Sat Feb 13, 2016 11:26 am, edited 1 time in total.


Topic author
A_HandyCrab
Posts: 71
Joined: Thu Aug 06, 2015 4:11 pm

Re: Help my crab is missing three legs

Post by A_HandyCrab » Sat Feb 13, 2016 11:24 am

I can't copy the thing can someone paste a blank copy


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CallaLily
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Re: Help my crab is missing three legs

Post by CallaLily » Sat Feb 13, 2016 11:27 am


1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it? 

2. Do you have gauges in the tank to measure temperature and humidity? If so, where are they located and what temperature and humidity do they usually read? 

3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what? 

4. What types of water are available (fresh or salt) and how is the water treated (what brands of dechlorinator or salt mix and what ratio is used to mix it)? 

5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced? 

6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known? 

7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen?

8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing? 

9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they? 

10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any? 

11. Have there been any fumes or chemicals near the crabitat recently? 

12. How often do you clean the tank and how? 

13. Are sponges used in the water dish? If so, how are they cleaned?

14. Has anything new been added to your crabitat recently? 

15. Is there any other information you would like to share that might be helpful (anything that is regularly part of your crab care, playtime, bathing, etc.)?


Topic author
A_HandyCrab
Posts: 71
Joined: Thu Aug 06, 2015 4:11 pm

Re: Help my crab is missing three legs

Post by A_HandyCrab » Sat Feb 13, 2016 11:27 am

No. When I got him some of the tips of his legs were broken off. When I dug him up his legs where next to him crushed . No exo


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