Typical newbie concerns

[JAChurch]

Hello, I found my first crab in a wooded area in the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia I assume he was bought on vacation and then left by some parents "setting him free" with there kids. The hermie was in a painted shell about 5 times to big it seemed. With in 48 hours I dropped about $200 on a sweet setup. Then of course I bought another and then one more. My concern is with the one I found. he's never molted or changed shells he's eats and comes out at night but doesn't seem to be growing. Just wondering from you guys if that's normal. Also one of the others has molted but kept his original shell he only got in another shell to clean out his current one. They have a wide variety and I clean them as well but none of the crabs ever change shells. I've ha d them for about 6 months. Thanks and I'm glad this place is here.....and yes I searched and read the FAQ before posting just wanted to know,starting to get worried.

[hermitcrab24]

A hermit crab will molt at its own pace. He may be preparing to molt, as long as you have the proper conditions, everything should be okay.
How deep is your substrate? It needs to be at lead 6 inches deep.
A hermit crab will not always change shells after a molt, some hermit crabs just don't want to change shells, but be sure to offer plenty of extra shells incase they so want to switch.

Let us know if you have anymore questions,
Bonnie

[JAChurch]

Thanks for the response so soon. I have a deep substrate that one of the newer crabs dug to the bottom of to molt. I figured the abandoned one I found will do something sometime I was just worried b cause he seems sorta shy and reclusive compared to the other two almost like a runt but even though it's the smallest he rules the roost on the two bigger ones. Thanks again!

[Crabinski]

Don't worry about your little guy not changing shells. As @hermitcrab24 said, they'll do so at their own pace so all you can do is make choices available. Felix, the PP I've had for more than 6 years, has molted several times (just came up from a molt today, as a matter of fact) and has changed shells just once in all that time! He shell-shopped a few hours ago but decided nothing was better than his shabby-but-comfy green turbo .

[wodesorel]

What kind of substrate? If it's something not suitable for digging, they'll often refuse to molt. I only ask because you say you went out and immediately bought a complete set-up, and if you went by what the store recommended it's likely to be an unsafe substrate. Cocofiber and playsand are the only things we ever recommend. Chunky bark and gravel is unsuitable for digging, and hermit crab and reptile sands are too sticky when wet and will turn to cement as they dry out.

Have you checked the shell FAQ to make sure the species of shells you're offering are the right type for your species of hermit crab? I think the number one issue we see when it comes to hermits not changing shells is because they're not being given good choices. I would say a good 75% of the "hermit crab" shells I see in pet shops are completely unwearable. Having something they can wear in the appropriate sizes is all they honestly require, but for shell shopping and watching them change it often requires giving them lots of of their favorites.

Also, you won't see him growing - their exoskeleton cannot change shape, which is why the molt to shed it and replace it with a larger one.

[JAChurch]

I use 80% play sand like 19% calcium sand and with a touch of coconut so it a pretty pimp setup. One of the other crabs molted no prob. And the middle man is starting to dig around now. The store people knew NOTHING so I went by different places on line and used common sense. It was a million to one shot I even found the first one( how many hermit crabs are in the Appalachian Mountains?) and the fact it was 90 f and 90% humidity for a few days was magic, he wouldn't have lived long if those conditions weren't ideal not to sound cheesy but that's meant to be. It's just he isn't as outgoing as the two newer crabs I purchesed shortly after so I thought the painted shell situation was doing it harm, it sounds like it will be alright.

[JAChurch]

Forgot to add: I have turbo,pointed snail, whale eye and konch type shells each in different sizes as each crab is in different shells themselves. Thanks again amazing responses seems like a nice community.

[JAChurch]

Sorry one more thing by "growing" I mean developing along with the others not getting larger Im aware of exoskeletons but thanks though.

[hermitcrab24]

I use 80% play sand like 19% calcium sand and with a touch of coconut so it a pretty pimp setup. One of the other crabs molted no prob. And the middle man is starting to dig around now. The store people knew NOTHING so I went by different places on line and used common sense. It was a million to one shot I even found the first one( how many hermit crabs are in the Appalachian Mountains?) and the fact it was 90 f and 90% humidity for a few days was magic, he wouldn't have lived long if those conditions weren't ideal not to sound cheesy but that's meant to be. It's just he isn't as outgoing as the two newer crabs I purchesed shortly after so I thought the painted shell situation was doing it harm, it sounds like it will be alright.

Yes, sounds like it was meant to be

I don't recommend calcium sand, it is not good for the crabs, whenever you can, whenever your crabs are above ground, I would say try to switch to all play sand.

You were very lucky to find the lost crab, but he was even luckier to find you
(cheesy I know )

[JAChurch]

I'll def do that. I just bought a bag of the store crap the eve I found him just to have something to rest him in over night in a large salad bowl. It's pretty much swirled around in the play mix. Take care.