New hermit crab with only one leg!

[Ginko]

I've been watching him for a few minutes and it looks he's trying to dig. Is it a sign that he might try to molt soon? If so should I help him dig a hole?

[YYWW]

Yes, i think so. Dude's got no legs! Dig a pothole (3x his diameter, 2x his height), drop him in, put something flat over him, pray for him. I also recommend you somehow block him off from other crabs, as he has no chance of defending against attack.
Good luck!


Crabbers unite!!!

[Ginko]

I was looking at existing holes in the tank and I found a small one that didn't connect to anything else. i put him in it and he seems to have made himself comfortable I put some nutrient packed hermit crab cookie and a dried grass hopper with wet moss in there with him. How should I go about telling if he's dead? I only have 15 days to get a replacement if he happens to die of PPS.

[megmaholm]

You'll be able to tell if he's dead if he smells like rotting fish. It's a pretty distinct odor, and should be obvious within a day of him passing. I'm still keeping my fingers crossed for him!

[Ginko]

Me too! I would make me so happy to see him recover from this. His shell is not sticking out of the hole nearly as much as it did when I first put him in there. So that tells me he's doing something.

[Lburns]

I hope he makes it. He sounds like a fighter! Sending good thoughts.

[Asheka]

Fingers all crossed for you and the little fella!

[Ginko]

Thank you for the support everyone! Even if he doesn't make it I'll be content knowing that I made his last days comfortable check back on this post in a few days. I don't have much to report since he's underground.

[Lburns]

If he does actually molt, he won't have much exo to eat afterwards. I'm kind of a newbie but would think he'll need lots of extra calcium. One day at a time of course but the thought crossed my mind so wanted to mention it. Thinking ahead...

[Ginko]

I got that taken care of, I have lots of cuttle bone, calcium enriched cookies and mineral sand

[Ginko]

I can confirm today that the hermit crab is still alive, it's been 4 days now. About 3 since I put him in a whole, I really hope he starts molting so he can grow back some limbs

[megmaholm]

That's great news!! I'm rooting for the little guy. He sounds like a fighter!

[Lburns]

Great news!! Fingers and toes still crossed!

[Ginko]

Almost 10 days now and I can confirm that he's sill alive! Will he regain all his limbs after a single molt? If not is there a point where I should pull him out of the hole?

[megmaholm]

He SHOULD regrow most/all of his limbs, but they'll be small and skinny for a while until he goes through at least one more molt. Keep an eye on his appetite - once he starts slowing down and not eating, that can be a sign be ready to molt. Also check for gel limbs. Once he starts getting them (they're clear/whitish) and they get pretty big, that can be a sign also If you think he's ready to molt, make sure you cover him with something so he's in complete darkness.

If for whatever reason he doesn't regrow all his legs in a molt, he may still be able to get around and eat/drink on his own. Just depends on what ones he's missing and how he feels.