HCA: Hermit Crab Association

It looks like lime buildup... He doesn't move his eyes, either. And I know he can't see. Can anyone tell me whats going on and if this will be fixed with a molt?

It seems to be a common issue with Ruggies. My Ruggie with this didn't survive his molt so I'm not sure if he would have been better after the molt. There are threads on here about this if you want to do a search.

It'll be gone after a molt. My Ruggie Chip had it and now his eyes are all clear after his molt

they have a thin, clear cover over their eyes that comes off during molts. maybe this film is just scratches on that cover that is shed when they molt?

Daethian wrote:It seems to be a common issue with Ruggies. My Ruggie with this didn't survive his molt so I'm not sure if he would have been better after the molt. There are threads on here about this if you want to do a search.

And he's a ruggie. I sure hope he'll be fine.

Celeste_Eden wrote:they have a thin, clear cover over their eyes that comes off during molts. maybe this film is just scratches on that cover that is shed when they molt?

No its totally different... its a scabbie looking crust that is on the insides of their eyestalks.

ohh!!. my rug has that too! i thought you were talking about that film that sometimes covers their eyes.

I wonder what is causing this in the ruggies? Must be something in their local habitat.

I had a jumbo ruggie (hermie poo R.I.P.) that had a crusty thing in between eyes, they just fell off one day and he seemed to be perfectly fine. Hopefully yours does too.

My poor blind, crusty-eyed crab never walks around. He just sits there, peeking out of his shell as if nothing is wrong. He doesn't make any effort to get food or water, so I've been feeding and watering him myself. He pigs out when I hand-feed him. He sure loves applesauce! Should I not be pampering him like this? Am I teaching him to be dependant on me for eating and drinking?

From what people have noticed, a lot of these crabs are fine after a molt. If you can get him through a molt then he may regain his sight. I guess I would continue to pamper him until he molts. Remember, he'll need salt water too since he's a rug. If he doesn't move much you could try putting him in a smaller container once or twice a day with regular and salt water within reach and some food. That way he may feed himself and regulate his own water intake.

I hope he molts soon so he can see again.