Hermit crabs out of shells?

[alyak06]

In one of our quarantine tanks (just cycled our first ever tanks, so only the CUC in there now) we have what look like hermit crabs, but with no shells. We don't see any empty shells, though. Would they have molted after only a week?

 

[Squishie89]

Oh yeah especially if they have an increased food source.

 

[Mike J.]

Nost definitely could have. Have you touched them? Real light, empty.

 

[alyak06]

No increased food source. What do we do about the remains? Is there a fish that will eat them, or do we just snatch them out of there?

 

[Mike J.]

It's just an empty exoskeleton, a calcium source, can't hurt anything. It'll dissolve in a few days or you can take it out.

 

[alyak06]

We just saw one jump to a new shell. So cool! I'm guessing they're molting if we're seeing them change homes. Thanks, all!

 

[Mike J.]

We just saw one jump to a new shell. So cool! I'm guessing they're molting if we're seeing them change homes. Thanks, all!

If that trips your trigger you certainly have a lot of wow moments to come!

 

[alyak06]

You have no idea! Haha.

 

[mcarroll]

Switching to a new environment (especially a fresh new one with awesome new water) will often prompt a round of molting in hermits.

-Matt