HCA: Hermit Crab Association

I was holding him yesterday, checkin out his gel buds, and he leaned way out of his shell. There was a little hole in his back! It looked like a triangle, like a little chip. The inside of the hole looked like air, then tan-ness below. I saw the thing in the Archives with the straw and the hole in his back, but Sesame's looks nothing like this. And he just molted.... I don't get what could have done it and why it didn't correct... I'm gonna swab it with saltwater next time I see him.

I wish I had advice but I would say the salt water swab is all I could suggest since I have no idea what it is or what caused it. Try if you can to get a pick so that it can be better identified. Best of luck

I will try to get a pic, thanks RL

We have an archived thread on 'hole in head' disease. Let us know if your crabby's injury looks anything like that.

Nicole, I've seen that thread before and it doesn't look like that. It is much smaller, and instead of black it is very light tan. And the "guts" arent real close to the hole like the straw's. It looks like I got a safety pin and stabbed him real fast with it. It is triangular in shape.

Here are some pics of the hole: Sesame's hole by Hermitcrablover1031, on Flickr Hole again by Hermitcrablover1031, on FlickrSo what should I do?

?Would the pointy foot of a crab make a triangular dent? Maybe someone stepped on him.

Ohmigosh Keg you are a GENIUS! That is a BIG possibility. But he usually keeps to himself, and the hole was found only a few hours after I put him back in the main after his molt.

I'm not entirely sure that this isn't hole in the head disease as it did occur after a molt, but at this point I would just keep an eye on it and see what happens.

Alright thanks! I dont think it's "hole in the head" disease, but I feel much better now. I will watch. Hopefully a molt corrects it

The thing that worries me about that hole is it is actually right over the gills...... hopefully next molt will clear it up.

maybe when he can up he still hadn't harden correctly? if a cute crabby steeped on him it could of broke it. later on when it hardened it look it thatGood luck with the guy, hopes he gets through it.

The thing is, it happened right after his molt So I don't know.... hopefully it will fix.

To me it doesn't look any more serious than just a bit of a dent in the exo, by the way it is quite non infected looking and quite a clean injury. I would keep an eye on it, but yet I would not bet against a problem free recovery where it is concerned. Is it on the gills Dylan? I thought the gills were on the side?

It is nice and clean, and I agree I need to keep a close eye on it. It's above the gills Frost, you're right, they are on the side.