HCA: Hermit Crab Association

I have a mini hermit crab that buried himself the next morning after buying him. Today is day 45 that he has been down. When I say mini, I am saying no bigger than my thumb. I had a large crab that was molting and came up on day 41. I understand they all vary, but judging by his size I did not expect him to be down this long. Should I be concerned? Just keep waiting? Just curious as to what everyone thinks.

Thejohnay wrote:I have a mini hermit crab that buried himself the next morning after buying him. Today is day 45 that he has been down. When I say mini, I am saying no bigger than my thumb. I had a large crab that was molting and came up on day 41. I understand they all vary, but judging by his size I did not expect him to be down this long. Should I be concerned? Just keep waiting? Just curious as to what everyone thinks.

As long as you are not smelling any bad smells I would keep waiting. He might have went through the destressing/PPS process before actually molting. And if he's that small I'm assuming this would be his first molt in captivity so he might be taking his time as he might not know what he's doing! Where as the big crab has it down and knows what to do. It could've taken him awhile to actually dig down and get to his final spot, resting as he goes. These are just my thoughts and opinions. Good luck.


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Small crabs can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months to molt. It's not that molting itself takes that long, but the tunneling and destressing and eating the exo and hardening up. Usually they pop up right about when you've decided you're never gonna see them again.

No bad smells. I've had one die so I know the smell. Not getting the smell. I assume he is fine just seemed like he has been down for an awful long time. But yeah could be cuz 1st molt and he spent a lot of time de-stressing

Basic stay down is 6 weeks. Depends on how much water he/she took on board. Size is NOT generally the issue. Crab type is. Males stay under less than females.
Don't attempt to disturb for at least 8 weeks.
Crabs build air pockets around themselves when underground. So Dont worry about leveling out soil above them, for other crabs in your tank.
But. A really strong smell of rotting fish,is an indicater that you crab has died. In this event. Do nothing. You other crabs will find it,and eat its remains. Its called 'normal behaviour'.

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BigglesLeCrab wrote:Basic stay down is 6 weeks. Depends on how much water he/she took on board. Size is NOT generally the issue. Crab type is. Males stay under less than females.
Don't attempt to disturb for at least 8 weeks.
Crabs build air pockets around themselves when underground. So Dont worry about leveling out soil above them, for other crabs in your tank.
But. A really strong smell of rotting fish,is an indicater that you crab has died. In this event. Do nothing. You other crabs will find it,and eat its remains. Its called 'normal behaviour'.

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Please cite your sources for this information. I have seen no evidence to support the fact that one gender of crab stays down longer than the other, in fact, this is the first time in the 2 years I've been here that I have ever heard this. Size does affect the length of a molt, as larger crabs spend longer underground than smaller ones.


Please check out our guides on molting for more info OP.

My female came up before my male same size!!!

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KayedeeLove<3 wrote:My female came up before my male same size!!!

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There are many factors that affect molting time. Least of which is gender. Land hermit crabs also have the ability to change sex.

Whaaaaaat?! Just when you think you've learned everything!!! They can change gender to? As if they aren't tricky enough [FACE SCREAMING IN FEAR]

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Seriously they can change gender?? Wow!! I learn something new every day!


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Yeah I will find the study on my PC later because trying to read tiny PDF files on my phone hurts my eyeballs.

Wow

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soilentgringa wrote:Yeah I will find the study on my PC later because trying to read tiny PDF files on my phone hurts my eyeballs.

No hurry… take your time. I'm just curious to read about that. I hear ya on the tiny words on the phone. I've had to buy reader's this year! Now I know I'm OLD! Lol lol


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Update. The little guy came up overnight and changed into a bigger shell. He came up at a perfect time because we are leaving for vacation today. So all is good.

soilentgringa wrote:

BigglesLeCrab wrote:Basic stay down is 6 weeks. Depends on how much water he/she took on board. Size is NOT generally the issue. Crab type is. Males stay under less than females.

Please cite your sources for this information. I have seen no evidence to support the fact that one gender of crab stays down longer than the other, in fact, this is the first time in the 2 years I've been here that I have ever heard this. Size does affect the length of a molt, as larger crabs spend longer underground than smaller ones.


Please check out our guides on molting for more info OP.

I would like to see your sources too. I have never heard the claim of sex playing a role in molt time. Size most certainly affects time spent under ground preparing for and recovering from a molt.

Here is the HCA's article on molting: viewtopic.php?f=23&t=92527.