HCA: Hermit Crab Association

my new crab, chip, was messing with salsa as salsa was trying to switch shells. then salsa pinched chip and wouldnt let go. the chip dropped his whole leg! he should be about to molt soon, but he is so withdrawn! also, one of the other crabs was walking around with chips shell on, so im guessing there was a shell fight last night as well. if this keeps up i am going to isolate him so he can molt. i feel so bad! i just heard my brother say "is that a leg?" and i was like, "bruh" and sure enough, salsa was holding chips leg. encouraging thoughts are appreciated! '_'

It sounds to me like a shell fight. I would make sure that all of your shells are cleaned and are of the proper size. Salsa will regrow the leg if you provide the essential calcium, protein, and other items on the food pyramid. Good luck.

no, i saw it. it was him guarding the shell, yes, but he had not switched into the shell yet.

that was when his leg was ripped off.

HAS ANYONE ELSE EXPERIENCED THIS??????????

How many crabs do you have in what size of tank?
How many and what type of shells?
What type and how deep is your substrate?

6 and a half inches of substrate, LOTS of shells, 10 gallon tank, 3 small crabs.