HCA: Hermit Crab Association

New crabber here. Not sure if this post should fit under behavior, emergency or misc. so help me out here. I have an 85 gallon, properly set up according to you good folks at HCA crabitat. Three weeks ago I got our first inhabitants which consisted of six medium PP's (pet store variety complete with those hideous painted shells). Three of them, Bob, Cochise and Spiderman, all immediately set out exploring. Bob even changed shells within two days! (Cochise and Spiderman are still hanging on to their old digs however) The other three, immediately upon hitting the sand disappeared and haven't been seen since! (three weeks). Is this cause for worry or am I being a tad over-anxious? No fishy (dead) smell or anything out of the ordinary otherwise. I checked all of the hiding places etc. I even went as far as to set up a video camera to check on sneaky nighttime activity! Nothing!! Possibility of an extended de-stress or are we talking instantaneous molt or is there something else going on in the crab world I should be aware of? Bob, Cochise and Spiderman continue to do well, wrecking the furniture to suit their liking...not mine! Thanks for any help and suggestions. CrabbyOpa, Largo Fl.

Very, very normal. They may be destressing or molting or just hanging out. It's the more difficult side of crabbing. Hard not to worry about our little crabbies. They definitely teach us patience!

Thanks for reply CallaLily. I was beginning to worry that these guys jumped ship (died) How long would be a patient waiting period until I become concerned?

Thanks for reply CallaLily. I was beginning to worry that these guys jumped ship (died) How long would be a patient waiting period until I become concerned?

It really varies from crab to crab, depending on their size and condition. This thread on molting may help a bit, but remember the length of time given is not set in stone. New crabs could spend a lot of time under destressing before actually preparing to molt. There's also the chance they could be resurfacing very late at night and digging back down before morning, leaving little evidence behind.

All the above is accurate, but also be prepared if you never see them again. Sometimes I think they are so freaked out from the trials they have been through, that they just give up, and don't want to chance being "caught" again on the surface. I have lost a few this way and there isn't much you can do except wait and hope.

I hope your guys come up happy and healthy.

Thanks everyone. Let the waiting games begin *fingers crossed* :roll:

hermieluv1 wrote:All the above is accurate, but also be prepared if you never see them again.

It is true there's always a risk of loss, especially with new crabs. If there wasn't, there'd be no reason for worry! (which we all do) I don't mean to sound as if there's no risk but always try to make it clear that time under the substrate is completely normal.