MOLTING OUT OF SHELL

[HermitCrabCHICA]

Since you've come to the emergency forum, we know you want a fast answer to your question. In order for us to figure out the problem as quickly as possible, we ask that you answer the following questions as best you can. Some of them may seem odd, but they're all designed to give us the information we need to give you a good solution for your problem. The things in the [ brackets ] are there to make this post easier to read once submitted. Thanks!


1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it?

EE and is about two inches deep
2. Do you have gauges in the tank to measure temperature and humidity? If so, where are they located and what temperature and humidity do they usually read?
No gauges

3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?
No heat source

4. What types of water are available (fresh or salt) and how is the water treated (what brands of dechlorinator or salt mix and what ratio is used to mix it)?
Fresh and salt I use bottled zephryhills for fresh and a world thrive of wonder salt water filter for the salt water


5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?

I feed them hermit crab commercial food that I moisten myself it is brand a world thrive of wonder
6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known?

I have had them for a couple weeks to a month the species is purple pincher
7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen?

THAT IS THE EMERGENCY
8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing?
I use a blanket for the lid and I keep Bubbles (B) and Kelpcake (K) in a ten gallon glass tank

9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?

2 crabs one small/medium B. one small K.
10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any?

I keep 9 to 10 shells in there
11. Have there been any fumes or chemicals near the crabitat recently?
No

12. How often do you clean the tank and how?
I haven't cleaned the tank yet.

13. Are sponges used in the water dish? If so, how are they cleaned?
I keep a sponge in the water dish but I removed it. It dried out after that.

14. Has anything new been added to your crabitat recently?

Um ya I only just got the crabs
15. Is there any other information you would like to share that might be helpful (anything that is regularly part of your crab care, playtime, bathing, etc.)?

No
16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.

One day I see my hermit crabs shell empty I assume she/he is molting. A couple weeks later shell was moved. I picked up the shell and when I looked inside I saw Kelpcake. She shrunk somehow? And she chose the same shell for some weird reason. At first I thought it was a different crab? Yah I know that was stupid. I go to see if Crab is still underground. (Yes I know very stupid.) I saw exo and I thought it was dead crab. I re-bury it then do some research I figured out it was the exo so I got a small container scooped the exo in there and placed Kelpcake in there. I saw Kelpcake on top of exo I think she was nibbling on it. She was trying to get out of container so I set her outside. She moved far away from the exo and I was then concerned about her not eating the exo so I came to HCA for advice. My emergency? Hermit crabs are supposed to molt in there shells but mine didn't! I don't know what to do I am new to hermit crabs! Is my Kelpcake going to die!? Please tell me what happened! What did I do wrong? :crybaby:


.

[jonathon1989]

Health: What to Do When a Crab Is Out of Its Shell
Post Sat Apr 18, 2020 9:43 am

Guide written by JoeHermits of the Hermit Crab Association.

In certain situations, a hermit crab may leave its shell without acquiring a new one, usually as a result of stress or weakness. When that happens, your priority is getting it to wear a shell—without one, the crab’s abdomen is vulnerable to injury and desiccation.

Before you do anything, make sure your hands are clean and free of soap, perfumes, lotions, or other chemical residues.

Plan A: Isolation

1. Scoop up the streaking hermit crab with a container just large enough to hold both it and a few appropriately sized shells. For smaller crabs you may use a glass or cup, but a plastic or glass food container will work better in most cases.

2. Pick up the crab in your hand and dip it in a cup of lukewarm dechlorinated water to rinse off any substrate. It should be free of all foreign material to reduce irritation and risk of injury.

3. Place about half a centimeter or a quarter of an inch of lukewarm dechlorinated water on the bottom of the container for moisture.

4. Rinse off the crab’s original shell plus one or two others of similar size in dechlorinated water to remove any substrate on or within and place them in the container. If the original shell is lost, damaged, or otherwise unavailable you may use a similar substitute.

5. Place a cloth or towel over the container for darkness and leave in a warm place, preferably in the main tank or an isolation tank. Leave alone for one to two hours.

6. If the crab has selected and moved into a shell, you may return it to the main tank as normal. If it is still naked, move on to Plan B.

Plan B: Manual Re-shelling

1. Scoop up the naked hermit crab in one hand. Select the shell you want the crab to wear and pick it up with your other hand.

2. Let the crab stand on your palm and position the shell behind it so its opening is facing the crab.

3. Lightly tap the crab on the head. It will back up and into the shell.

4. If the hermit crab takes the shell, you may return it to the main tank as normal. If the crab is not re-shelled because it keeps crawling out or otherwise resists in such a way that manual re-shelling is not practical or safe, return to Plan A.

Troubleshooting:

Although we can’t always tell why a hermit crab is streaking there are things that can give us clues. Here are a few things to watch out for if your hermit crab has ditched its shell.

Shell-jacking: Did a tankmate steal the shell? Are there enough shells so everyone can wear what they want? Are spare shells filled with substrate, have holes in the spirals, or otherwise unfit for use?

Temperature: What is the temperature in the tank? Is it above or below your species’ acceptable temperature range?

Humidity: What is the humidity in the tank? Is it below seventy percent humidity?

Water: Have both the fresh and saltwater been treated to remove chlorine, chloramines, and heavy metals? Is the saltwater made from a marine salt formulated to mimic sea salt?

Diet: What has the crab been eating? Does it have a range of macro- and micronutrients available? Has it eaten foods high in pesticides such as conventionally farmed berries or leafy green vegetables? Does any of its food contain ingredients of concern such as copper sulfate or seafood meals containing unlisted ethoxyquin* or butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT)**?

*Ethoxyquin is not used in pet foods manufactured in Australia, Japan, or the United Kingdom.
**BHT is not used in pet foods manufactured in Japan or Australia.

Stuck Shell: Is there a narrow area in the tank where the shell could’ve been caught, either above or below the substrate's surface? Did the crab get stuck and drop its shell to escape?

Post-purchase Syndrome (PPS): Did you obtain the crab within the last year? Has it molted in captivity before?


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[HermitCrabCHICA]

Idk I got the crab a couple weeks ago it is in a shell that is to small for him/her but my question is, is it normal for hermit crabs to molt outside there shell?

[jonathon1989]

Idk I got the crab a couple weeks ago it is in a shell that is to small for him/her but my question is, is it normal for hermit crabs to molt outside there shell?

Not that I know of. Is the crab in a shell now? If not you need to reshell the crab immediately.


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[HermitCrabCHICA]

K is in the shell that was way to small for him/her before. She molted out of her shell. For some weird reason K kinda shrunk? I don't know I am knew to having hermit crabs and I just love Kelpcake and Bubbles so much I only want what's best for them.

[jonathon1989]

K is in the shell that was way to small for him/her before. She molted out of her shell. For some weird reason K kinda shrunk? I don't know I am knew to having hermit crabs and I just love Kelpcake and Bubbles so much I only want what's best for them.

Its normal for crabs to shrink after they molt but they will return to their size. Sometimes they will also go into a smaller shell before a molt. As long as you have extra shells in the tank your crab will be fine.


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[HermitCrabCHICA]

Ok thankyou! I am glad my hermie isn't in danger I will get more shells!

[curlysister]

1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it?

EE and is about two inches deep
Curly - Substrate should be at least three times as deep as your largest crab. Be sure it is moist enough to hold shape, but not so wet that water pools in the bottom. Play sand is cheaper than EE.

2. Do you have gauges in the tank to measure temperature and humidity? If so, where are they located and what temperature and humidity do they usually read?
No gauges
Curly - These are essential, you will need to get them asap.

3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?
No heat source
Curly - Your thermometer will let you know how much you need to increase your heat.

4. What types of water are available (fresh or salt) and how is the water treated (what brands of dechlorinator or salt mix and what ratio is used to mix it)?
Fresh and salt I use bottled zephryhills for fresh and a world thrive of wonder salt water filter for the salt water
Curly - That water is spring water, which is generally unregulated. To be safe, you shoudl treat it with a dechlorinator (Prime is a commonly used brand). Thrive salt water is not harmful, but it is not appropriate for hermit crabs - it does not contain the minerals they need; you need a marine salt. Check out the care sheet on water for everything you need to know about both dechlorinators and marine salt.

5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?

I feed them hermit crab commercial food that I moisten myself it is brand a world thrive of wonder
Curly - Be sure that you read the ingredients, and then the care sheet which explains which additives/ preservatives can be harmful.
6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known?

I have had them for a couple weeks to a month the species is purple pincher
7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen?

THAT IS THE EMERGENCY
8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing?
I use a blanket for the lid and I keep Bubbles (B) and Kelpcake (K) in a ten gallon glass tank

9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?

2 crabs one small/medium B. one small K.
10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any?

I keep 9 to 10 shells in there
11. Have there been any fumes or chemicals near the crabitat recently?
No

12. How often do you clean the tank and how?
I haven't cleaned the tank yet.

13. Are sponges used in the water dish? If so, how are they cleaned?
I keep a sponge in the water dish but I removed it. It dried out after that.
Curly - You can put the dry sponge in for them to munch on if they want, but you were correct in removing it from the water dish.

14. Has anything new been added to your crabitat recently?

Um ya I only just got the crabs
15. Is there any other information you would like to share that might be helpful (anything that is regularly part of your crab care, playtime, bathing, etc.)?

No
16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.

One day I see my hermit crabs shell empty I assume she/he is molting. A couple weeks later shell was moved. I picked up the shell and when I looked inside I saw Kelpcake. She shrunk somehow? And she chose the same shell for some weird reason. At first I thought it was a different crab? Yah I know that was stupid. I go to see if Crab is still underground. (Yes I know very stupid.) I saw exo and I thought it was dead crab. I re-bury it then do some research I figured out it was the exo so I got a small container scooped the exo in there and placed Kelpcake in there. I saw Kelpcake on top of exo I think she was nibbling on it. She was trying to get out of container so I set her outside. She moved far away from the exo and I was then concerned about her not eating the exo so I came to HCA for advice. My emergency? Hermit crabs are supposed to molt in there shells but mine didn't! I don't know what to do I am new to hermit crabs! Is my Kelpcake going to die!? Please tell me what happened! What did I do wrong? :crybaby: