Q&A for How to Care for Molting Hermit Crabs

You should leave it be, but if there are other crabs in the tank, try using things to separate them just in case the other crabs may try to eat his exo-skeleton. Also never take his exo-skeleton. He will eat it, because it has vitamins and minerals for him to grow a new exo-skeleton.

No, they will typically not eat during molting.

If it's underground, leave it alone. It can take care of itself. Remember, hermit crabs have been doing this for years without humans intervening.

Check the food and water bowls for sand, dirt, or feces. You can also smooth out a patch of sand or dirt and see if any tracks appear in it.

Leave it alone until it's finished molting. Try placing a plastic cup on it with one side cut out for protection, and make sure to very lightly mist it occasionally.

Gravel is NOT recommended as a substrate for hermit crabs. They need something softer, like coconut fiber or sand. These are not very expensive and can be found in the reptile section of your pet store. Gravel will stress them out and could potentially cause problems with the molting process.

You can give it food, but be very, quiet, cautious, and slow-moving. Hermit crabs are very vulnerable when they're molting, therefore if you scare it, they can lose limbs and/or die.

Some crabs will do just fine with a bottle dome around them and some will not. Keep in mind that your substrate should be very thick, so other crabs could tunnel under the substrate and still reach your molting crab. The safest option is always to remove the crab very gently, as well as some of the substrate around it (this will help to support the crab as you move it), and place it in a proper terrarium.

If it smells like dead fish, it's dead. Try not to disturb it in case it is molting, because you don't want to stress it. If it's not dead but molting, try placing a plastic cup over it for protection.

Keep supplying food and water, keep the humidity and temperature up, and leave the hermies to their own devices. Remember, they've been digging and molting for years, and they can take care of themselves in a proper environment.

Nothing. It will be fine.

It is already contaminated. Feed lots of calcium and protein (honey, seaweed, etc.).

Dip the spare shells in salt water and make sure you have a wide variety of sizes. He should choose a shell eventually.

Yes, it most likely it will. Just leave your hermit crab alone while molting. Try not to handle it or it will probably die.

Leave her alone. If she is not coming out for a long period of time, you should check on her though.

No. Try and touch the crab, and if it does not move, it probably is dead.

Nothing really, hermit crabs like the heat sometimes. Just think about where they came from!

No. Terrestrial hermit crabs and aquatic hermit crabs are extremely different. This is only for terrestrial hermit crabs.

Yes, a molting crab can have pale skin.

Yes. You should lift the bottle for food. Just keep it to a minimum.

It will probably be fine. Just continue to keep an eye on it without disturbing it further.

Always let the molting hermit crab eat its own exoskeleton; they need those vitamins. You should separate the molting hermit crab with plastic-coated cardboard and make a mini-enclosure for them. Keep that crab separate for a few days while they get their strength back.

Yes, they are either molting or adjusting to their new environment. Either way, keep fresh food out, as they could be coming out at night and you just don't see them. Since they are new, I would recommend feeding them a lot of protein-rich foods like eggs, as well as fresh fruits and vegetables. Molting usually takes about two weeks, but don't try to dig them up after.

It is safe once your hermit crab has come up from its molt and is in a shell. I would still give it a couple of days after the molt before touching it again, though.

If your hermit crab is molting above ground, then yes, put a bottle over it to secure it from the other crabs in your tank. Try not to do anything else to it, such as poking around or picking it up, as this could further stress them.

Let it be. As long as it is not dead, then the best thing you can do is to leave it be to do their business. Be patient, the whole molting process can take up to three months. Also, make sure that you have about three inches of sand or dirt in the tank. During molting, these crabs prefer to be buried. However, do not change it now. When your crab is finished molting than you can add sand or dirt.

That is possible. If this has been happening for 3+ months, then it is not possible that it is molting. If it has been under that time, you need to let it be. Never touch a molting crab. It could cause irrevocable damage.

Yes, they will take their shells with them. And yes again, molting can take from three weeks to three months. Be patient.

Yes, they do. Maybe even now more than ever. Make sure to supply it! They are currently shedding their skin and will need a constant supply. It would be even worse if they were finished molting and had no water.

You may have, unfortunately. All you can do now is to be aware of your mistake and not make it in the future. Let the crab be. Just like humans, they take time to heal.