How to Tell if Your Dog Is in Pain
Q&A for How to Care for Molting Hermit Crabs
Coming soon
Search
-
QuestionHow do I remove a molting hermit crab from its terrarium?Community AnswerYou 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.
-
QuestionWill molting hermit crabs still eat?Community AnswerNo, they will typically not eat during molting.
-
QuestionI want to enclose my molting crab inside a bottle to isolate it from other crabs, but I don't know where it's hiding. What should I do?Community AnswerIf it's underground, leave it alone. It can take care of itself. Remember, hermit crabs have been doing this for years without humans intervening.
-
QuestionHow do I tell if the hermit crab comes out at night when he's buried to molt?Community AnswerCheck 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.
-
QuestionWhat do I do if I just got my crab and it is mid-molt?Community AnswerLeave 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.
-
QuestionHow do hermit crabs molt on gravel?Community AnswerGravel 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.
-
QuestionDo you still need to provide fresh food everyday while your crab is moulting? I dont want to waste food but then if it needs it, I don't want to starve it.Community AnswerYou 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.
-
QuestionIf I make the bottle dome around my molting hermit crab, what are the chances that she will still feel stressed about my other hermit crab?Community AnswerSome 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.
-
QuestionMy hermit crab is almost out of its shell but doesn't seem to be moving. It is only out of its shell at night, but I got home today and it was out of its shell. Is it dead or molting?Community AnswerIf 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.
-
QuestionMy sister gave me a hermit tank including an already molting crab in the tank and I added 3 but 1 disappeared and I can't find it. When it was last seen it was digging and one is starting a molt. What should I do?Community AnswerKeep 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.
-
QuestionWhat do I do if my hermit crab lost a claw when it was molting?Community AnswerNothing. It will be fine.
-
QuestionMy mother threw the exoskeleton away. Is there anything that can provide the crab the same nutrients? Can I take it out the trash, or is it already contaminated?Community AnswerIt is already contaminated. Feed lots of calcium and protein (honey, seaweed, etc.).
-
QuestionMy crab molted and is out of his shell. He ate his old exoskeleton but has not gone into a shell in the last two days. He is alive and I'm not sure what to do about getting him into a shell?Community AnswerDip the spare shells in salt water and make sure you have a wide variety of sizes. He should choose a shell eventually.
-
QuestionWill my hermit crab die if I take it out the cage when it is still molting and I bury it for two minutes then take it out and put it back in its cage?Community AnswerYes, it most likely it will. Just leave your hermit crab alone while molting. Try not to handle it or it will probably die.
-
QuestionMy hermit crab has buried herself. I can't tell if she is molting, and I am afraid to dig her up to find out. What should I do?Community AnswerLeave her alone. If she is not coming out for a long period of time, you should check on her though.
-
QuestionI have a saltwater tank, and my crab is out of his shell upside down and not moving. Should I assume it's dead?Sara BrownCommunity AnswerNo. Try and touch the crab, and if it does not move, it probably is dead.
-
QuestionWhat happens when a hermit crab is in heat?Community AnswerNothing really, hermit crabs like the heat sometimes. Just think about where they came from!
-
QuestionDoes this also work for sea hermit crabs?Community AnswerNo. Terrestrial hermit crabs and aquatic hermit crabs are extremely different. This is only for terrestrial hermit crabs.
-
QuestionMy hermit crab is molting but is really pale. Is this normal?Community AnswerYes, a molting crab can have pale skin.
-
QuestionIf I protect a molting hermit crab using the bottle method, will I have to remove the bottle every once and a while so it can reach food and water?Community AnswerYes. You should lift the bottle for food. Just keep it to a minimum.
-
QuestionI disturbed my molting hermit crab what do I do?Community AnswerIt will probably be fine. Just continue to keep an eye on it without disturbing it further.
-
QuestionWhat should I do if other hermit crabs start to eat the molting crab's exoskeleton?Community AnswerAlways 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.
-
QuestionI just got my crabs from Petco, and within in 3 days they have all disappeared and there has been no activity in the tank since. I think they are molting, but am unsure. Do I still keep fresh food out?Community AnswerYes, 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.
-
QuestionA part of this article mentioned not touching or misting the crab post-molt. When is it safe to touch and mist him again?Herp5Community AnswerIt 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.
-
QuestionWhat if I don't have an extra tank? Do I put a bottle over it or do I leave it be?Herp15Community AnswerIf 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.
-
QuestionMy crab has molted, but it’s just like lying on the sand, it’s alive, it moves a little, but it isn’t doing anything, what should I do?Daphne LameschCommunity AnswerLet 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.
-
QuestionMy hermit crab keeps hiding from me, is it molting?Daphne LameschCommunity AnswerThat 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.
-
QuestionOne crab has been buried for a month. I assume he is molting. When molting are they buried with their shell? It been 4-5 weeks .Daphne LameschCommunity AnswerYes, they will take their shells with them. And yes again, molting can take from three weeks to three months. Be patient.
-
QuestionDoes a molting hermit crab need water?Daphne LameschCommunity AnswerYes, 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.
-
QuestionI had no idea my hermit crab was molting and cleaned out the aquarium. He was completely disturbed. I have since put him in his own container, but I'm concerned I've done irrevocable damage. What should I do?Daphne LameschCommunity AnswerYou 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.
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit