HCA: Hermit Crab Association

My one very shy PP, Kong, just molted. It was fine, and he has the sharpest toenails I have ever seen. Well, he keeps digging under!! All my other guys arent, and its 80* 80%. Why??!!

crabs dig--its what they do- if he wants to get away from everyone else and chill out they can dig and relax....dont worry- its natural- he just may have more energy now too since he molted and wants something to do. Do you offer lots of climbing things for them?

he may want to destress from the whole molting thing. he will prob. come back up soon! happy crabbing

I have so many climbing things it's ridiculus!! But he just isnt acting right...

is he ot very active? r the others acting like him? if so please fill out the help request template. then we might have an idea of whats going on.

1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it?
EE sand mix- about 6 inches
2. Do you have gauges in the tank to measure temperature and humidity? If so, where are they located and what temperature and humidity do they usually read?
yes, both. always 80 80.

3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?
Not right now, hot enough, but a heat lamp.
4. What types of water are available (fresh or salt) and how is the water treated (what brands of dechlorinator or salt mix and what ratio is used to mix it)? Fresh and salt, huge water dishes. Jungle salt. cant think of ratio.

5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?
So many different types, but I always have dried shrimp out. Replaced every 1-2 days.
6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known?
About 5 months, PP, large, molted
7. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing? 10 gallon, fish tank lid.

8. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?
2 others- 1 med and 1 large. PP & E
9. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any?
about 5, but getting more.
10. Have there been any fumes or chemicals near the crabitat recently?
Never
11. How often do you clean the tank and how?
about every 7 months.
12. Are sponges used in the water dish? If so, how are they cleaned?
no
13. Has anything new been added to your crabitat recently?
No
14. Is there any other information you would like to share that might be helpful (anything that is regularly part of your crab care, playtime, bathing, etc.)?
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Is this your first molt with this crab? If so, it might just be his typical post-molt behavior.

Yes. He is very shy and if I even change the tank around he will dig under for a little, then come back up. This is my 3rd molt. The other guys were fine. He is very confunsing. His "brother" is under right now.

Sometimes they act really shy after a molt. Most of my crabs do, actually. They hide a bit, duck into their shells more often than normal. There is only one that doesn't, but he's so laid back he doesn't really care what I do - as long as I don't spray him when I'm misting the tank. That's a no-no for him. Their post molt behaviour can change as well. You don't always have the same routine. Just give him some time to find himself again. I don't think you have anything to worry about at the moment though.