HCA: Hermit Crab Association

My bigger crab has starts molting. He tried to weeks ago but he dug his hole right against the edge of the tank. It was dark so I guess he didn't realize it. I had set them in the bathroom cause they were makin so much noise. When I got up and went to the bathroom the light hit him and he freaked. I didn't see much but he looked like he was all the way out upside down with his claws holding the top of the hole. When he seen me he slowly went back in. I felt so bad I immediately tuned off he lights and covered them. It was only a couple seconds until I realized, he had been eating and drinking a lot. I know it can take 6-8 weeks to molt, but were its my first one I'm worried. I know they e survived in the wild way before humans starting getting them as pets. They know what their doing. Is there any way to see or know if its going good without bothering them?

I've heard about putting a flashlight against their place in the tank, but that may count as bothering them There's really nothing besides leaving them alone that you can do. Just keep on changing their water and hope for the best.

Yea. he got interrupted a week or so before he actually went under. He had made his hole right on the wall of the tank so he was exposed, but it didn't look like anything had happened. it was just the next morning cause he was making a ton of noise. I feel like he's doing ok he must have felt comfortable doing it or he wouldn't have. There is another crab in there with him we have a small tank now, we bought a big 10gal tank but Alex started molting so the move has been put off. The other crab Krabs seems lonely we haven't got anymore crabs since it was a small tank. He hasn't bothered Alex hes been digging around a lot but not where his brother is, and sleeping with the empty shells. Im worried hes lonely since there is only 2 of them and they've been together practically the whole time here. Also all the digging makes me think he may be getting ready to molt and im worried theres not enough room for both of them. Should I just go ahead and fix the big tank and move him into it, and when Alex comes up then move him in?? Sorry im a new Krabber and Im just worried, and want to do all I can.

I would set up the bigger tank and move the one who is up to it then when the other comes up, move him there too.

Update on that: turns out he was digging for a hole. I guess trying to find a spot without bothering his brother. This morning he was under too. So its all good im glad he decided to do it too cause I was worried he was lonely. its only been maybe 2 weeks since the first one went under so that's nice they wont be alone long. With them both being under should I turn the light on during the day or just leave them be. I mean still misting. I've been keeping the sand moist where they are so it doesn't get too dry while their under. Food & water wise do I need to refresh it like normal or just keep a check on it? Thanks so much for the help now we have time to set up the bigger tank and get more crabs. We waited until we had a bigger tank this one is too small for more than 2 I feel. We got lucky the second one was accepted so fast. they slept on opposite sides for a day or so, but now they cant get close enough lol. they sleep on top of each other. Krabs as made him hole right next to his brother, he's been digging a lot. Yesterday he had made a spot right next to him to try, he's been moving around the tank making little dips trying to find the perfect spot. Now I get to worry about both of them for weeks -_-

Just a heads up on your 10g tank. Unless the crabs you have are really small/tiny you shouldn't put more than 3 in the 10g tank, so you could get 1 more to put in.

Do keep an eye on the one crab to make sure he isn't digging around the other to make a snack out of the other. The give off a rotting yummy smell to other crabs. Also I mark on the calender what day that they might crab goes down and stays down, so next year I kind of have an idea. Crabs will dig down and some times by the glass but more often than not they won't stay there. They keep digging for a better spot. If you use sand you can smooth it out at night and you will be able to tell if they are coming up for food. Water I would change bout every other day.

I'm starting to get worried about one of my crabs that's molting. He went under before Christmas the 20th and he's still under. The other one went down a week or so after him. The first is Alexander and he's small and the other Krabs is smaller than him. Alex moved into a medium sized shell a few months ago. I keep telling myself they know what their doing they've been doing it long before humans. It looked like he was coming up one night he was making a lot of noise. When I looked there was a little hole where he was. I put fresh water in there for when he came out. It was 5am but when I got up hours later the hole was gone. It's been 6 weeks today and he's still under. I'm very nervous is this normal? Is he ok? Any info is greatly appreciated!! Thanks!

I picked up Talia from a woman at the petstore who had kept two crabs in a KK with gravel, no water, bad food and no heat or humidity. They had been like this for several months, one was dead and she brought them in to confirm it and see if the store would take Talia. She was tiny, about the size of a small marble maybe. She had escaped and was found that day in their bathroom. The woman was honestly disappointed to find her. Her father in law gave these to the kids without her consent. I brought Talia home, kept her in a small amount of substrate for a few days so she would tank up on good food and water before she molted. The last time I saw her, I had just put her in the ISO with plenty of sub and she was at the bottom of a piece of cholla with a piece of scrambled egg bigger than she was in her claws. that was early October of 2013. After 2.5 months I assumed she was dead and went looking for her. Good thing I was being gentle in my search because she was very much alive and a little annoyed when I pulled her out. She is now in the big tank with the others working on her 4th molt, the 2nd & 3rd molt have been quick but clearly she was post molt hairy. She has grown considerably as well.All that to say, try not to worry and give him some more time. If he has died, digging wont change that, if he is trying to destress or taking his time getting ready, it could be bad if you dig.

Thank you for that. I figure it could take longer I just get nervous. Since they are both under its been so boring. I keep telling them they can come up any time now lol. The pet store I got them from had a lot of them in a tank with just a dusting of sand on the bottom. I cant see how that's right most of them gather under a big log type thing. Im sure hes ok its just now the 6 week mark. thank you!!

Well, Mr. Krabs has come back up!! He's just sitting in a little hole in the sand, but I picked him up and sprayed him he's fine just a little dirty lol. I set him back in his hole, the other one is still under he is bigger than Krabs. Would that make a difference? Krabs is smaller, he went under a week or so after Alex and he's already back up. It looks like Krabs was in the same spot as Alex , there no other sand disturbed. I thought he was on the other side of the tank but I guess not. He could just be sitting there cause Alex is there. So I've got one successful molt!! Yay! hoping for a second Soon! Wish me luck! And thanks for all the help!

Most of the time the bigger they are the longer they take.When they go under they don't always stay in that same spot. They usually move around digging tunnels until they find what they think is the perfect spot. Which is why it takes so long for them to come back up. They have to fid a spot, then prepare, then molt, harden, eat the exo (shed skin), regain energy to dig, then come up usually very hungry and thirsty. Make sure you give them plenty of different things to eat like boiled egg, organic peanut butter, honey and shrimp ect....

Thanks!! They are both up now the smaller one had got in the cave of the other. He was finished and I guess getting ready to come up. He sat at the entrance he made for days. I finally moved him so not to bother his brother and he came out too lol. They've gone through water quick and I had bought calcium supplement& probiotic spray. So I've been giving them it too, I'll get them some of the foods you mentioned. Thanks So much for your help!! It's greatly appreciated !

@SSt, I would avoid the pro-biotic spray as we don't know enough about the specific strains used we can't say for sure if there is any potential for harming the crabs especially with long term ingestion as this spray is supposed to be used with their drinking water not to help them but to keep the water microbial free.I'd err on the side of caution because I could not find any real information on the exact composition of these kinds of sprays since the manufacturers do not want to provide it which leads me to believe there are other things in the spray that may not be so safe.

Ok thanks I won't use it anymore. It says to spray the substrate and water 2-3 times a week. The brand I have is All Living Things ingredients purified water, natural enzymes, beneficial bacteria. Pretty vague. Purpose listed is to help break down organic waste and neutralize odors. Discourages toxic ammonia build up.