HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Hi all,

We got 2 hermit crabs about 6 weeks ago. one of them was out and about, but about a week later dug a hole, havent seen him since. The other one has been quite shy since we brought them home. She has always hidden in the cave thing I have in the tank.

Yesterday morning, I noticed she was out, usually if she's out and I turn on the lights, she goes back in the cave. She didn't, but she's not moving much either. And, it's day 2, shes still out of her cave. Is she just finally getting used to things? Could she be getting ready to molt?

There are lots of other shells in case she wants to change, I just hope shes not sick.

Thanks,
Vanursh

Hi there!
You're first crab (the one that dug the hole) is either de-stressing or molting. If it has been at least five weeks, he is likely molting. This is not uncommon and, if he is molting, is actually great. If a crab makes it past the first molt with the new home, he has a much better chance of surviving his new atmosphere.
The second crab, Ms. Active-But-Not-Active, might just be exploring and getting used to her environment. I know my E's love to go into their caves and hideys when I turn on the lights, and they are perfectly healthy that I am aware of. When I first brought mine home, one of them was quite sluggish, very much like your description. It's very hard to tell, but your crab is probably fine. Try to leave her/him alone as much as possible give her some space to work out her situation.

Fingers crossed!

I would definitely say that they are de-stressing, that's normal for newly purchased crabs.
Resist your urge to dig around for them, that'll hurt them even more!

Just be patient, and you'll see them again soon!

Thanks!!

I'll just keep changing the water and giving them fresh food and keep my fingers crossed.

When they slow down suddenly it can be a bad sign, but there isn't much that can be done other than keeping their stress levels low and making sure the conditions are good - warm and humid and lots of good foods.

We call it Post-Purchase Syndrome, which is a catch-all term for any injury sustained during collection and transport, and the problems that come with them adapting to life in captivity. It is very common in new crabs sadly, and almost never the fault of the keeper.

Both of my crabs took ~50 days to molt and comeback up and they are active.