HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Hello! I just rescued another crab from a pet store, and I noticed that they have an odd coloring. Any idea what this may be? Think that they just need a molt? Any response is much appreciated!

P.S. I'm hoping he'll switch out of the painted shell soon!

Gah that is WEIRD. It looks like it could be an infection, a parasite, disturbed molt, disease, etc. Sorry, i know i'm not much help. But it definitely looks wrong to me. I would raise him in ISO and compare pre and post molt pics.


Crabbers unite!!!

SWEET!!!!! CALICO CRAB! EEEEE!!!

Okay now that that's out of my system...

The crab looks completely healthy. I know that sounds completely wrong given the coloration, but I really think this is old damage that is well on it's way to being healed. The discolored locations are mostly smooth and shiny like proper exo should be and there are setae starting to grow out of them. You can see where some of the areas still aren't completely all the way there yet and there is some unnatural texture here and there, but it's not the kind that indicates active infection. My guess would be that the spots will darken to the dark purple base over the next few molts.

I don't know what could have caused this type of injury in the first place. It would have to be something awful that took off the majority of his exo, probably in one go. May have been bacterial and he fought it off. Could have been viral, but if he recovered it's unlikely. It could have been a physical injury as well, a chemical or heat burn (both can occur naturally in the wild), I'm not really sure. It's odd that if it was a serious injury or infection that he didn't drop the limbs and start fresh. To keep and attempt to repair that kind of damage is extraordinary. It's easier for them to regrow entire limbs then it is to repair them.

I am almost positive that it's not a natural occurrence, like with calico lobsters. Crustaceans have the ability to extremely rarely end up mottled like this, but yours is showing evidence of injury which to me makes it unlikely. If over the next few molts he doesn't start gradually changing back to the dark purple he's showing as his base color then this will become a real possibility. (I'm actually really hoping for this for you, and you'll have ended up with the rarest Purple Pincher in captivity!)

Edited to add: I'm going to share this with a few people and see if they may have a better idea.

Thank you! That helps a lot! Once he molts I'll post an updated photo.

Calico lobsters? That sounds fascinating!
Tibsar, how does this wee one move about? Does s/he seem healthy and active? Can you see if this appearance is only on certain parts of the crab, or all over? What about the head and body area?
Man the look reminds me of mosquito bites and ingrown hairs (getting itchyyyy)... But going off wode's delighted response, there's no need to ISO after all.


Crabbers unite!!!

He's been really active! He's also been eating quite a bit, which includes some treats. The coloring does seem to be on his head as well, I'm not sure how far down his body it goes.

So i just googled calico lobsters!! I haven't even heard of this before.
Your crab does seem to have that speckled look. Hope you do have a rare crab! I'm still itchy looking at it, but give it a peek. i guess you will know for sure after a molt and some pics.
This is pretty cool!


Crabbers unite!!!

Wow! You've got some special crab right there! The coloring and tenacity of that little guy are priceless. If the pattern on his exo is due to prior injury or infection he's certainly a hardcore hermit!

I think she/he is adorable and I hope WODE is right

YYWW wrote:C
Man the look reminds me of mosquito bites and ingrown hairs (getting itchyyyy)...


Crabbers unite!!!

YYWW - researching a de-sensitization class for you :headshake:

wodesorel wrote:I don't know what could have caused this type of injury in the first place. It would have to be something awful that took off the majority of his exo, probably in one go. May have been bacterial and he fought it off. Could have been viral, but if he recovered it's unlikely. It could have been a physical injury as well, a chemical or heat burn (both can occur naturally in the wild), I'm not really sure.

I'd have to agree it's a burn but not by nature... The way crabs are forced into painted shells is a lighter/fire to their natural one and given a painted one as the only other option. Perhaps your little guy got more than a little burnt causing damage all over.
I really want to believe it's a mixed/new gene crab though, that being the (much) better alternative. I wish you luck and lots of successful molts!


Hermit mommy of 10 PP babies: Octavius Flemming, Poseidon, Junior, Matty Pumpkin, Turbo, Aries, Kaylee Frye, Pepper, Flower and Adrian Shephard.

tibsar wrote:
P.S. I'm hoping he'll switch out of the painted shell soon!

Mee too! It looks like there's sharpie squiggled all over it Poor little guy


Hermit mommy of 10 PP babies: Octavius Flemming, Poseidon, Junior, Matty Pumpkin, Turbo, Aries, Kaylee Frye, Pepper, Flower and Adrian Shephard.

I watched a video of them forcing crabs into painted shells...It is so unpleasant. They didn't show how they get them out and I really don't want to know.

Woah. Very strange looking. I'd love to see how he looks after every molt. Please share.