new hermit crab ^^ (!!~HELP~!! is he hurt or just cramped?)

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Aug 22, 2006 8:31 pm

I just got a new crabby today. I wanted to have a look at him (assuming it's a "he" I'm still waiting to check) before I bought him, but he wouldn't come out of his tiny shell. I know it's way to small for him because he can't withdraw completely into it, but there were no other shells in the tank that were appropriate for a crab his size. He is only a tiny little guy, and the only other hermit crabs with him here more than four or five time his size. if he were to have molted there he would be eaten fir sure *gasps*. I felt so bad, and I couldn't just leave him there with those huge crabs I bought him sight unseen.

I still haven't gotten to name him yet, since I'm not sure weather or not Is in fact a boy or a girl. "violet" if it is a girl or "Yadokari" (Japanese for "hermit crab") if it is a boy. for now I call him "Name-Pending" he's up and walking around now that he's in a safe environment with hermit crabs his size.

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I also noticed that one of his front legs doesn't bent properly over his claw when he withdraws into his shell. It just kind of sticks out straight. I was wondering if his "too-small-shell" is to blame for this, or if he is injured. An answer to this would be nice since I am worried about little Name-Pending.

annopia · Post by **annopia** » Tue Aug 22, 2006 8:56 pm

the leg sticking out sounds like the crab's leg might be deformed in such a way that he can't "bend" the limb at the joints. but I can't be sure its just a guess. hopefully he'll change shells soon so that you can tell for sure if it is the shell or the limb.

congrats on your little rescue!

Caroline

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Aug 22, 2006 9:00 pm

thank you, I hope Name-Pending enjoys his new home with Shelly and Hermy, I have plenty of shells that seem the right size so it's only a matter of time before he/she picks one.

I also have a little issue with Hermy... he can't decide on which shell he wants to stay in. There are about four he keeps changing back and forth, some are OK, but some are way too big for him. he seems to be having an identity crisis ever since his molt and can't find the right shell for him, is this normal?

annopia · Post by **annopia** » Tue Aug 22, 2006 9:31 pm

goodness! you are in the same situation as I am in! my Big 'un has changed shells at least five times in the past 12 hours! I wouldn't be too worried (I'm not worried about mine), I think its somewhat normal, he's just deciding which shell fits his soft little bottom best.

Caroline

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Aug 22, 2006 10:22 pm

^^ right now he just switched into the shell I put in for little Name-Pending, lol. is it normal for use hermit crab shells to have a worn spot on the top near the opening? Both Hermy and Shelly's original shells had small holes like open strips going back into the shell alittle ways. is it a coicidence or is this normal for worn-out shells?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Aug 23, 2006 12:45 am

Congrats on the rescue.

Sometimes the shells that look old and worn out to us have been "broken in" and adjusted by other HCs and are often the most coveted shells in the tank.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Aug 23, 2006 3:37 pm

I love those little guys, I always buy them if there in a tank with large crabs. Can you post pics?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Aug 25, 2006 11:03 am

I don't have a good digital camera, but once I do, I'll be sure to get some pics on here

SUCCESS!!, "name-Pending" is a confirmed male and is now named "Yadokari" *YAH-doh-KAH-ree* (I think >.>) it's Japanese for "Hermit Crab"