Buried Crab 3.5 Weeks I Don't Think Molt

[jaketiger27]

First post! I would just like an answer to what's going on with my Strawberry Hermit Crab.

I have a strawberry hermit crab and have had it for 3.5 weeks, the first day/night it was extremely active climbing, hanging in salt water and fresh water, eating, etc.

I wake up and it buried itself, not surprised because I've read that's how they destress, 3.5 weeks later and I have not seen it since. I see where it might have come up to the surface late at night when I would be asleep but it hasn't ate in a couple of days or drank near as much as it did the first couple of days. I can hear it chirping at night and hear it digging around during the day and night, I saw it dig up to the glass and noticed that it still had its shell which is why I am hesitant to think of molting.

I would really love to know what exactly is going on if anyone can help I would appreciate it!

Sand substrate is about 40% of tank, Eco mix substrate is about 60% of tank
Humidity: 82% on average never below 77%
Temperature 78 on average lowest is 75 (I was on vacation and my daylight bulb went out)
I have a zoomed light cycle set up 12 hours of daylight (blue 60 watt light) and 12 hours of nightlight heat (red 60 watt bulb) zoomed

Thank you for your help

[JoeHermits]

Hermit crabs keep their shells on during the molt, so what you witnessed under the substrate is normal and expected.

It very well could be preparing for a molt. They don’t always molt immediately after digging and may tunnel some first. A few trips to the surface for food and water is not uncommon.

Otherwise it may just like to dig, which is also normal.

Try not to worry, regardless of what the crab feels you’re witnessing normal behavior and doesn’t necessarily mean something is wrong.


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[Motörcrab]

Welcome to the HCA.

The easiest way to tell if a crab has molted are hairy legs! Between molts the hairs wear off. Long hairs are a good sign of molting. Another good sign are sharp and pointy tips of their legs. The tips are usually almost black .

With strawberries be sure to read the strawberry care guide. They have some special needs compared to other species of hermit crabs in order for them to stay healthy. Bigger water pools, especially saltwater, they are the only crabs we have that I see swim almost daily. They actually prefer moving water so bubblers or something to move the water helps. UVB bulbs are also highly recommended for them to help with their coloring as well. Lots of foods that high in beta carotene and astaxanthin help with their color too.

Straws native habitat is a little warmer than some other species too. I try to maintain my tank between 80-85 at all times for them. Occasionally it will drop to 78 but thats where I try to keep my cut off temp for them.

In general they stay pretty active and are usually active at all hours unless they are molting. With the recent molts my guys had (within the last month) they have been hiding during the day and only coming out at night. I'm not sure what made them change their routine after a year and a half.

Here is the link to the strawberry care guide.
viewtopic.php?f=120&t=92450