HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Hello, I accidentally dug up a freshly molted crab. He's in his shell and looks pale pink as of right now. Exoskeleton is still there, I have 2 others in the tank. Once I realized what I had done I moved the molter into a hole under one of the climbers I have in my tank. The other crabs are to big to get in there unless they dig down. I covered the hole with damp moss and put some crushed calcium and his exo in the hole with him. He's moving around in the shell a bit but will he be ok? I feel awful...Thanks

I would recommend setting up an isolation talk. You can get a small tank or tote and put items the crab need, like food or water, along with a hide and substrate. Make sure to keep the exoskeleton with the crab so the crab can eat it. Make sure the crab has a lot of calcium to help the crab with having a strong exoskeleton.

Ok, I set him up in a small critter keeper. I put some fresh water, crushed oyster shell, and some dried fruit sprinkled in the moss, saturate about 3 in deep, and a coconut hut. I dug down in the sand and placed him in the hole with his exoskeleton and put the hut over top. I replaced the top to the critter keeper and then covered it with a wash cloth to make it dark. I moved some things around in my tank so I could keep the critter keeper in my actual tank. I noticed his big claw was now a purplish color vs the pale pink color it was a few hours ago....good sign, I hope!

Hello During this time the crab should only need his/her exoskeleton. When that is finished (which sometimes they do not finish eating all of it), then you can add fw & msw for your crab to drink and raw honey, proteins and calcium for your crab to eat. When you crab is actively moving around, do a quick dip in the fw of your crabitat before adding him/her to general population. Good luck!