HCA: Hermit Crab Association

My very teeny tiny E. Crab is not in its shell, I cannot find it surface level throughout the crabitat. I'm nervous it was eaten by my Much lager PP. or is it possible it's molting naked? Help. Need some answers!

Are you sure the crab didn't change shells before digging down?

update:
It's 6:12 am, my tiny E has been found. She dug herself a cave like area around her naked shell less self. Since she is so so small, she is in ISO, with 5 other tiny shells to choose from. Water and food, expect the shells I have seem a tab too big, I'm worried I can't help her, finding new shells for her is hard she's very small at this point. She extremely white. Not sure if that's normal for a naked crab body. I'll check on her in an hour. I bathed her gently, she's so sweet I hope she can survive this. I made her ISO dark hopefully she can do what she needs to do to make it thru this. Any suggestions?

Not2crabby, where are you located (state in the US? Or elsewhere?)? What is the opening size for the shells you have & what she needs? I have a handful of tiny shells that I don't want to crush for calcium source because they're usable for crabbies, but too small for my guys. I can send them to you for the price of shipping if they're suitable for your little one, if she can make it through this! Keeping fingers crossed for her.

Im in San Ramon California, feel free to message me. I'll send pictures of the shell and measure it. I know thank you this is so sad

She's smart, she put half her body in the water dish to not dry out, I know this sounds odd but I'm not sure she knows what to do, maybe instinct doesn't take over when their frightened or sick even? I wish one of my other crabs could just communicate and be like hey just find a shell you'll be fine. This is making me such a nervous wreck, I'm calm I'm just upset. Is there any way I can gently force her in? Is that even possible? I don't want to hurt her in any way. I would post photos but this seems a little graphic. !

I'm not an expert, but people have mentioned that if a crab won't re-shell on their own, you should make sure the crab & a slightly too-big shell are both clean, then gently try to slide their abdomen into the too-big shell, and see if they'll pull themselves the rest of the way in.

Gonna go send you a PM now to get shell measurements.

You can try the cup method to get her reshelled: rinse one or two shells, her size or a little larger, and put them in a cup or small bowl with the naked crab. This is usually a successful practice as the crab has nowhere to go and nothing to do but focus on the shell(s). Be sure that the crab can't climb out of the container or it defeats the purpose.

I'm HAPPY to announce the tiny cup idea worked! She is now successfully back into her shell! Thank you to everyone who helped today. You saved her precious life

I'm so glad to hear that!! I hope she improves quickly now.