HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Hi there, yesterday my brother adopted two new hermit crabs for me from Petsmart. I'm new to the crab world but I've done months of research before getting the little guys! Okay sorry for rambling! So the two new Hermie's are about the size of a gumball. One of them hid in the hide and buried itself, but before doing so it did explore some. As to where the other one hasn't moved at all since we got it and i noticed is missing three little limbs and smells a bit fishy and doesn't twitch or move at all when touched. When the shell is picked up and turned over the body seems limp. I'm afraid it might be dead. But I don't want to bother it till I'm sure because I've read about hermit crabs looking dead when molting. Help please, I don't want to accidentally kill/hurt the little guy if its still alive. Thanks in advance for any help or feed back!

UPDATE: I went to Petsmart today and adopted a new crab, last one left too! I checked their sexes and both are female. I've decided to name the bigger one Sage and the smaller one Petal! Very much in love with them, hope to start a small colony soon

Hi there. I'm glad you've been reading up. It sounds like you're doing the best that you can with these guys to become informed. You're right that they'll often appear immobile, but I hate to say it, if the crab smells fishy, then he's probably not alive. Double check that he is the source of the smell (rather than a damp shrimp in the food bowl or something), and if so, I would remove it from the tank. I am sorry for your loss.

I think it might be! The other one smelled the same but its very much active. I have the 14 day guarantee from petsmart so I'll bring the little guy and see what they say or if I can get a new one. Thanks for the feed back!

I'm sorry for your loss! You should be able to get a new one! If the other one smells but is still active, I would give him a quick saltwater bath and see if it clears up. Also, I would check for mites just to be safe!

Will do, thank you so much!

It's not a good idea to bathe a crab unless there is a serious reason for it. Bathing stresses them, and them being new is already stressful enough!

oops thats just what I would have done to get the smell off

Is there any way to add a picture on here? Haven't bathed the little guy but it let me hold it yesterday and it came out of its shell, its so cute, I'm in love! (Using "it" for now, not sure if its male/female)