HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Hello! So I was wondering, is it bad for hermit crabs to see light mid-molt? My tank has a glass bottom and it sits on my desk. (I have to get a stand because I can’t use my desk anymore!) I am new to owning crabs. One of them is molting and I could not find it. But when you pick it up you can see the hermit crab and her cave at the bottom of the tank. She’s in mid molt. One day I found my little brother shining a flashlight into the bottom of the tank. You could see it’s body and it’s shell. Is it bad, for her that that happened? Would that stress her out? Even if you don’t shine light is it bad? Because if it is bad I have to tell him not to do that anymore because how mush I tell my brother to not come in my room. He does anyway :/

Yes, light should be minimized when they are molting. If they are against a side of the tank, many of us cover that spot so they stay dark. Shining light a time or two likely cause any harm, but you should tell your brother that he can't do that anymore. You should also not pick up the tank - you could cause their tunnels/ caves to collapse.

Ok thank you so much!

I personally don’t bother covering up their windows anymore. If they can see light while they’re digging they’re more than capable of digging away from it.


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I cover spots on my tanks when windows show.

Edit: I use a piece of cardboard box and tape it on