Hermit crab?

[Kbnano]

Hello....what is going on? Thought the hermit crabs came out of shell but he's still in there along with this on the rock?! Not sure who or what this is...

 

[Isopod80]

Looks like a molt to me. Perfectly normal. They do this as they grow. Just remove it. Make sure you have a few similar, slightly bigger empty shells available as well.

 

[blaxsun]

Probably a molt if it’s not moving.

 

[Kbnano]

Looks like a molt to me. Perfectly normal. They do this as they grow. Just remove it. Make sure you have a few similar, slightly bigger empty shells available as well.

It's alive... moving

 

[Kbnano]

Probably a molt if it’s not moving.

It's moving

 

[blaxsun]

I assume you have more than the one hermit crab? Just to confirm, the shell has a live crab moving inside it and there’s also a live crab moving on the rock to the right?

 

[Isopod80]

It's alive... moving

How many crabs do you have? If it's only 1 and it's still in the shell than it can't be alive. Are you sure it's not blowing around a little in the flow?

 

[Kbnano]

I assume you have more than the one hermit crab? Just to confirm, the shell has a live crab moving inside it and there’s also a live crab moving on the rock to the right?

I thought I only had one. I had another one more than a month ago but thought it died. I had 2 extra shells they put in that were empty...but yes correct...can they ever have 2 in one shell? Because he switched shells right after I got him.

 

[Isopod80]

How many crabs do you have? If it's only 1 and it's still in the shell than it can't be alive. Are you sure it's not blowing around a little in the flow?

I can pretty clearly see what appears to be the semi transparent, empty, back portion of the old exoskeleton. That does not appear to be an intact crab.

 

[Kbnano]

I assume you have more than the one hermit crab? Just to confirm, the shell has a live crab moving inside it and there’s also a live crab moving on the rock to the right?

I thought I only had one. I had another one more than a month ago but thought it died. I had 2 extra shells they put in that were empty...but yes correct...can they ever have 2 in one shell? Because he switched shells right after I got him.

 

[Isopod80]

No, 2 can't live in 1 shell.

 

[blaxsun]

I can pretty much guarantee no more than 1 crab per shell. I never worry about molts as they happen so frequently it would be a full-time job fishing them out.

 

[Kbnano]

How many crabs do you have? If it's only 1 and it's still in the shell than it can't be alive. Are you sure it's not blowing around a little in the flow?

Ok, I'm thinkin it's the flow because the only thingoving is the "feelers" not the body. We'll I'm a bit embarrassed...just new at this...sorry.

 

[ZoWhat]

Hermit Nudist Colony

 

[Isopod80]

 

[blaxsun]

Ok, I'm thinkin it's the flow because the only thingoving is the "feelers" not the body. We'll I'm a bit embarrassed...just new at this...sorry.

That’s ok - we’ve all been “suckered” by a molt at one point or another. So you can either “fish” it out (little tank humour) with some tweezers or let the other reef denziens take care of it.

 

[Kbnano]

Thanks!

 

[Calm Blue Ocean]

I still get fooled by molts sometimes. I was sure I had a dead crab last week but then did a head count and everyone was there!

I keep a lot of extra shells available but still get the odd squabble over real estate. Did a night check a few days ago and was shocked to see a crab out of it's shell clinging to the rock while another tried to decide whether or not he really wanted the shell. Fortunately they all worked out their issues without any casualties.