HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Hello everyone! 2 Days ago, I just brought home 2 Es to give my PP some company. One of the Es, Marbles, is doing just fine. Very curious and constantly at the food dish at night.

The other E, Patrice, buried himself the first day I brought him back. I understand this is normal behavior for them to acclimate, but I smoothed out the sand and he has not resurfaced to get any food/water in the last 2 nights. This is what concerns me.


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It's okay some crabs will bury to de stress for a few days up to a few weeks. And some crabs will stay active for the first week and then go and de stress. As long as you are not smelling that "death" smell then he's doing fine. Maybe write down the day he went down so you will know exactly how many days he's down. When mine go down for a molt I try to write down the date so I can keep track of it.

MsWorld wrote:It's okay some crabs will bury to de stress for a few days up to a few weeks. And some crabs will stay active for the first week and then go and de stress. As long as you are not smelling that "death" smell then he's doing fine. Maybe write down the day he went down so you will know exactly how many days he's down. When mine go down for a molt I try to write down the date so I can keep track of it.

Thanks for your help!


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Your welcome! Keep us posted on how things are going and congrats on your new babies!


Bobbi in Cincinnati - with my 13 hermit crabs, 1 bearded dragon - Sir Wallace and 5 rescue cats!!

Crabs can take a few weeks to several months to molt depending on size.

We call it pet sand

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I have a question everyone says death smell yet i was told you won't smell it if the crab is buried is that true ? And if so how would you know anyway ?

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There isn't ALWAYS a smell... It's just a sure fire way to know!

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I've never smelled a crab that died during a molt, but boy when they were exposed via digging (for a move or routine turning of the sub) the smell was horrific.

If you have deep substrate you won't smell a dead crab underground. Many times they decompose naturally and all you may find later on is bits of exo and empty shells.

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soilentgringa wrote:I've never smelled a crab that died during a molt, but boy when they were exposed via digging (for a move or routine turning of the sub) the smell was horrific.

If you have deep substrate you won't smell a dead crab underground. Many times they decompose naturally and all you may find later on is bits of exo and empty shells.

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ok thanks thats really depressing

Update- Patrice (E) is still under. If he is still under in 1 week, would we assume he is molting?

Also, Juan Pablo (PP) and Marbles (other E) have just buried themselves as of this morning, seemingly in the same spot. Juan Pablo went first and Marbles soon followed. I can still see Marbles' shell and can occasionally hear crawling/banging against glass.

No kidding about the 'pet sand' nickname! If nothing else, my crabbies will teach me patience!


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Is it correct to say they molt between April & September???


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MadiCrab wrote:Is it correct to say they molt between April & September???


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They molt any time, year round. Some long time crabbers have noticed a pattern that may be attributed to mating season, but crabs can molt whenever.

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Update**

Patrice has resurfaced since going down on 8/11!!! I only caught a glimpse of him while a few minutes ago but he looks like he has gained some color. Thinking he molted..


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