Question:
Hermit crab shed skin ... ?
Hey Juliana
2009-02-04 06:55:14 UTC
My hermit crab just recently shed its skin
but he is inside his shell, much smaller then before and a dark reddish color with grayish tips
I don't really know what to do
Is he dead? or is he molting?
Please help!
Five answers:
2009-02-04 08:30:13 UTC
Congratulations you have a moulter.

Leave him alone for now let him eat his shed skin. If you threw it out feed him shrimp tails, egg shells and cuttle bone. Don't handle him or move him just yet. if you have other hermit crabs place an intank divider to isolate the moulter. DO not spray or try to bathe the crab.



If a few days to a few weeks the hermit crab will harden his skin and return to normal. Richer colours in moulted crabs is a good thing. They often change colours after moult don't worry about it.
?
2016-05-28 16:32:07 UTC
1
thedude81321
2009-02-04 07:14:35 UTC
No! Leave him be, I will add more details, but I just want you to see this first!



Okay, I needed to get that out there first. Leave your hermit crab alone and make sure all the parameters are fine in the tank (temp, humidity). If he shed his skin he was just molting. It IS possible that he died in the process, but if you disturb him now, and he is alive, you may end up stressing him and killing him.



If he has taken on a very deep color, it is possible that he molted a few days ago, as when they first molt, they are soft looking and usually a light pinkish color.



It is very important that you



1) leave him be (i cannot stress that enough)



2) leave his molted exoskeleton ("skin") IN the tank, as most crabs will eat a good portion (if not all) of their shed "skin", this is a good source of calcium and other nutrients for them as their new exoskeleton hardens up.



3) offer him good fresh foods, with calcium being a priority (offer egg shells, broccoli, etc.) and water (both fresh distilled water and distilled water mixed with aquarium salt, NOT table salt)



If he is dead, or dies in this process, you will know it, as he will take on a strong dead fish smell. Until that happens, don't give up hope on him.



Check out the link below for more info on crabs.



edit - also feel free to message me if you need anymore help.
2009-02-06 16:57:57 UTC
not dead! he did an outer molt! don't touch him and leave his skin there! he will die if he doesn't get to eat his skin. he is only dead if he comes out of his shell and there is nothing else in the shell.

good luck!
Ah U
2009-02-04 07:07:05 UTC
He's dead.

I'm terribly sorry.


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