HCA: Hermit Crab Association

One of my 8 'down under' crabs finally surfaced. I knew it was be post molt as I can see tiny pointy ends on the legs. However, I do not see a main claw. When I transferred my crabs to their new tank I do not remember any of them having missing legs/claws.The color is also very dark, and it looked very 'thin'. It has gone back under and I hope when it resurfaces the color and size will be better. While up, it was picking at the peanut butter & crackers I had placed in the food bowl, went to the water dishes, then headed back into hiding. Hopefully, after it recovers, a quick second molt will get the big claw back, but kind'a worried.Any thoughts? I know someone has posted that their crab's legs were bent after a molt and OK after the next molt. Does anyone know how long between molts a crab usually waits, especially if something went wrong the first time? I would say the crab is a little larger than a quarter.Thanks for any info.

Newname, sometimes molts go bad unfortunately and crabs surface with twisted limbs or lose one after a particularly hard molt. I believe it's often the result of dietary or calcium deficiencies but not always so, sometimes there's no obvious reason, but make sure that you routinely offer plenty of supplemental calcium sources like crushed cuttlebone, egg shells, calcisand, crushed coral or sanddollars.A newly molted crab will look smaller at first so perhaps that's what you mean by thin. As he finishes eating the old exo and the new exo hardens, he will take on a slightly larger appearance.A color change is due to dietary changes, in your case probably for the better, so as long as you are providing the right foods, I wouldn't worry about it. Two of my crabs are quite dark. Crabs can get by without a BP and they often will molt soon after dropping a limb to replace it, even doing back to back molts. Ren's little Blue did a record 3 when she lost most of her limbs after surfacing from the 2nd. The key is to let your crab get the rest he needs. It's good that he went back down; I've seen them come up for a bite or a drink and do the same. It means he's not ready to be up and around. He doesn't need hand feeding and handling as he should still be able to tend his own needs. Just make sure his food is manageable and if you see that he is being disturbed by the others, then leave him and remove them to ISO so he gets the rest he needs. You may find that after he surfaces, he seems completely oblivious to the fact that he's missing a BP.Good luck!