HCA: Hermit Crab Association

2 crabs went down a little over two months ago. Crab #1 went down first, crab #2 followed a week later (first week of March). About a week ago from today, crab #2 came back up. I think it looks like he's molted... I'm no expert, and this is the first for me, but he does look quite new afterall.

Since #2 has been up, every day he's been going under again, and then eventually coming back up.

Today I noticed he started digging (and is almost completely under) where crab #1 went under (and still under). Do I need to worry, or should I just let it be?

Keep in mind that crabs tunnels zig zag underground, so it's hard to tell exactly where a crabs tunnel is headed. What size tank do you have? Larger tanks minimize the likeliness of this situation.


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Long time no see!! Have you finished your crabitat yet?

When crabs have molted, they have really hairy legs, and black pointed tips on the ends of their legs.

As long as your substrate is deep enough, 6" or 3 times the height of your largest crab (whichever is deeper) then don't worry about it. He/she will be fine

Hermiearth wrote:Keep in mind that crabs tunnels zig zag underground, so it's hard to tell exactly where a crabs tunnel is headed. What size tank do you have? Larger tanks minimize the likeliness of this situation.

10 gallon tank. Soon to be in a 29.

GotButterflies wrote:Long time no see!! Have you finished your crabitat yet?

Almost done. Time is limited here, unfortunately. Working on the 29G crabitat (custom backgrounds, false floor, etc), a snake enclosure, and a large fish tank... dividing the time amongst all three. Crabitat involves some painting, some siliconing, some gluing, and some other stuff that also takes some time to dry before I can continue on to the next step. But, its not all that special... taking longer than expected because of "lack" of time.

GotButterflies wrote:When crabs have molted, they have really hairy legs, and black pointed tips on the ends of their legs.

Yep... so looks like he molted then. Very hairy legs.

GotButterflies wrote:As long as your substrate is deep enough, 6" or 3 times the height of your largest crab (whichever is deeper) then don't worry about it.

Yep... depth should be fine. 6"... minimal depth, but surely 3 times the height.

Ok... so, I should be good. Thank you all for the input.

Great! Glad to hear! Congratulations Cannot wait to see pictures!


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