Hermit Crab

Deuce · 04-29-2006, 12:34 PM

Hey! I've got a pretty big hermit crab in my 90gal. Came home the other day to find it dead, or, I thought it was dead. Do they molt like a shrimp does and lose their skin? Since that's happened, the shell's moved all around the tank, and last night, I saw the crab. What's the deal?

Jay

JennM · 04-29-2006, 01:10 PM

Yes, they do molt. Unless it was still in its "borrowed" shell, chances are it was just a molt. Crustaceans also tend to keep a low profile after they molt, until their new shell hardens - they are more vulnerable to predation during that time.

Jenn

leveldrummer · 04-29-2006, 02:18 PM

hijack!! just curious, do they molt inside the shell, then push the skin out? or do they actually crawl out for a moment to molt, then skurry back in before anyone else notices??

Geoff · 04-29-2006, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leveldrummer

hijack!! just curious, do they molt inside the shell, then push the skin out? or do they actually crawl out for a moment to molt, then skurry back in before anyone else notices??

they come out to molt, then beeline back to the shell.

G~

VWD · 04-29-2006, 08:12 PM

Yes it is cool to see them get out of the shell and molt and get back in, They need to have a watchful eye. I have a large one now in a tank that I have set up for things giving to me that can't be in any other tank I have going.

Deuce · 04-30-2006, 12:12 AM

That's good to know! I figured something was up when the shell was moved from where I saw it at first! Thanks everyone!