Accidentally moved molting crab- did I kill him?!

[Meggrace5]

My crab was molting on the surface and I moved him bc my daughter wanted to take him out of the tank. His exoskeleton completely came out of the shell and I thought he was dead. Upon moving him a bit more I saw the crab inside the shell, moving and a very white color. I’ve completely left him alone but afraid the damage has been done. Anything I should be doing? He’s alone in there, his companion having passed recently I haven’t bought a new one. Thanks for any words of wisdom!

[curlysister]

If he was surface molting, there may be something amiss in the tank. Can you please fill out the 'emergency template'.

http://www.hermitcrabassociation.com/ph ... 27&t=46102

[JoeHermits]

Place a coconut shell or other such hiding cave over him for darkness. He’ll dig out when he’s ready.

As Curly said, a surface molt means something’s wrong. A hermit crab’s ability to molt is directly linked to receptors in its eyestalks that release molting inhibitor hormones when light or movement is detected.

Having to molt on the surface in spite of said hormones is hard on them, which is why most hermit crabs can’t survive more than one or two in a row. The surface molt is always a last resort.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk