Hermit crab molt or carcass

Jameswebb96 · Apr 10, 2023

Hi guys,

I’m completely new to all this so thought I’d get a second opinion

I checked last night all three hermit crabs was out and about doing what they do.

this morning whilst doing my checks I found only one crabs carcass or molt what do you guys think?

Timfish · Apr 10, 2023

Hard to say, but my guess is a molt. Crustaceans may hide out for a couple days after molting so it may be a bit before you know for sure

Buckster · Apr 10, 2023

It does look like a molt. I find them with my emerald crabs and we save them. We have several bowls full of shells from the beach and we place them on the top.

Jameswebb96 · Apr 10, 2023

Timfish said:
Hard to say, but my guess is a molt. Crustaceans may hide out for a couple days after molting so it may be a bit before you know for sure

I have 3 hermit I rarely see two of them only really at night if I ever check the tank.

hopefully it’s just a molt,they seemed completely fine last night anyways.

Jameswebb96 · Apr 10, 2023

Buckster said:
It does look like a molt. I find them with my emerald crabs and we save them. We have several bowls full of shells from the beach and we place them on the top.

Well fingers crossed I haven’t seen the shell anywhere so I assume he/she is hiding now

blaxsun · Apr 10, 2023

Jameswebb96 said:
Well fingers crossed I haven’t seen the shell anywhere so I assume he/she is hiding now

Hiding for a few days (or sometimes longer) is totally normal.

Tired · Apr 10, 2023

Hard to tell with it out of the water, but probably a molt.

Jameswebb96 · Apr 10, 2023

Tired said:
Hard to tell with it out of the water, but probably a molt.

Yeah wanted to get it out didn’t want to leave a carcass in there if it was.
By the feel of it it seems to be crumbly so assuming it’s a molt.

Jameswebb96 · Apr 10, 2023

Update to whoever decides to come back here.

All 3 hermit crabs are alive and good came out as the lights went out wondering around

fodsod · Apr 10, 2023

Jameswebb96 said:
Update to whoever decides to come back here.

All 3 hermit crabs are alive and good came out as the lights went out wondering around

I've got 2 giant blue legged HC in 2 different tanks and there have been times I swore one or the other was dead only to have them re-appear days later looking great. They can certainly fool you with the molting.

Jameswebb96 · Apr 10, 2023

fodsod said:
I've got 2 giant blue legged HC in 2 different tanks and there have been times I swore one or the other was dead only to have them re-appear days later looking great. They can certainly fool you with the molting.

It was definitely a shocker in the morning, but looks like I was fooled.