Just rescued my first crab. Surface molting or dead? Help!

[LadyGaladriel]

About two weeks ago, I adopted a PP that was being kept in one of those awful wire mesh cages with gravel. He was curled up and hadn't moved for several days before I got him, so I figured he was starting to do a surface molt. Even though I know it's bad to handle them when they're doing that, I moved him to the tank I'd set up because I was worried he might not survive a molt without humidity and a heater.
I've been checking for smell daily, and thankfully haven't noticed anything, so I think he's alive. But the appearance of his exoskeleton hasn't changed at all (from what I can see. I put him inside a partly-buried coffee mug). His exoskeleton looks bright red. But there is no sign of molting so far, and the color hasn't changed at all since I got him two weeks. I'm worried that it should look different by now if he's going to molt. What is going on??
This is my first hermit crab. I babysat one for six months this summer, but I'm pretty new to this.

[Arosewithashell3]

Sorry that this reply is late, but in case you still dont know, Youre not insane for thinking that your crab could be dead. Is your crab moving even the slightest bit? Do you smell a fishy smell? If you said yes to that it is moving, its not dead. If you said yes to the fishy smell, your crab is sadly dead. A lot of people get surface molting and death confused. The number 1 thing about a dead hermit crab is that it smellls like fish gone bad. have fun with your hermies!

[YYWW]

Sorry LadyGaladriel for not catching you sooner. Like Arosewithashell3 mentioned your crab probably passed, and maybe before you even got him. Let us know your update.


Crabbers unite!!!