Molting is a natural process that hermit crabs go through as they grow. During molting the crab sheds its rigid exoskeleton and emerges with a larger softer one that will harden over time.
While molting is normal, it can sometimes be difficult to distinguish a molting crab from a dead or dying crab Here are some signs to watch for to determine if your hermit crab is simply molting
Changes in Behavior and Activity Level
One of the most obvious signs of an impending molt is a change in your crab’s normal activity level and behavior.
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A molting crab will often become very inactive, not moving around the tank as usual. It may just stay curled up in one spot instead of being active.
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The crab may stop eating or eat very little. A healthy crab that suddenly loses interest in food could be getting ready to molt.
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Burrowing behavior frequently increases prior to molting. Watch for your crab digging and burrowing more than normal. It is creating a safe spot to molt.
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Your crab may start soaking itself in the water dish more often in preparation for its molt. The moisture helps loosen the old exoskeleton.
So if your active crab all of a sudden gets very inactive and lethargic, begins excessively burrowing, and loses interest in food, a molt is likely right around the corner.
Physical Changes
In addition to changes in your crab’s behavior, you may notice some physical changes as well. These include:
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The colors may look faded or discolored. The vivid colors will return after the new exoskeleton fully hardens.
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The exoskeleton takes on a chalky, ashy appearance as it prepares to be shed.
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The crab’s eyestalks may droop and look somewhat retracted or sunken in.
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Claws or legs may look limp and lifeless rather than held upright.
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The abdomen may appear swollen or distended.
Partial Emergence from Shell
One of the most confusing signs is when a hermit crab emerges partway from its shell looking limp and lifeless. This often happens right as the crab is ready to shed its exoskeleton.
The crab will push itself partially out of its shell, and the lifeless-looking exoskeleton will hang limply. It is extremely important not to touch or disturb a crab in this state, as you could injure it during this delicate process.
Gently move the crab to an isolation tank if needed so that other tankmates don’t disturb it. Then leave it completely alone until the molt is complete. Avoid handling or disturbing it at all.
Unpleasant Odor
One way to confirm that your limp, unresponsive crab is actually dead rather than molting is by odor. A dead crab will begin to smell quite unpleasant within a couple days, with a distinct rotting fish smell.
If your inactive crab has no odor or just an earthy smell, it is likely molting. But if it takes on a rotting fish odor, it has passed away.
Length of Molting Process
Be aware that the entire molting process can take weeks or even months from start to finish. Do not assume your crab has died just because it stays buried and inactive for an extended time. Smaller crabs may only take a few weeks, while large crabs can take months.
Prepare for a long waiting period when your crab disappears underground or into an isolation tank to molt. Avoid disturbing it to prevent injury.
Provide Proper Molting Conditions
To help your crab successfully complete its molt, provide ideal conditions including:
- Several inches of moist substrate for burrowing
- Adequate humidity between 70-80%
- Warm temperatures around 75-80°F
- Isolation tank for a secluded space if needed
- Extra shells to change into after molting
Proper conditions reduce stress and allow your crab to focus its energy on a successful molt rather than trying to compensate for improper husbandry.
Be Patient and Hands-Off
Molting requires a lot of energy and leaves the crab very vulnerable. Avoid handling or disturbing a molting crab. Give it space and time to complete the process undisturbed.
Be patient for several weeks and resist the urge to dig up or check on a buried crab. Trust the process and allow nature to run its course.
With close observation and proper conditions, most crabs will successfully molt and return to their normal active selves once the new exoskeleton fully hardens. Just give them time and space to complete this natural part of their life cycle.
Molting or Dead
A molting crab appears quite limp and lifeless, and the body is often partway out of the shell. Sometimes, with very careful observation, you will be able to see small twitches from the hermit crabs body while it is molting, but otherwise, it can be very difficult to tell whether or not it is still alive. Plus, if your crab has buried themselves in the sand and you havent seen them in a while, it is natural to start wondering if they are molting or if they have died where they buried themselves.
If you are not sure if your crab is molting or dead, how you handle the situation may make the difference between the life or death of your crab if they are indeed simply molting. The safest thing to do if you find your hermit crab in one of the situations mentioned above is to assume that they are just molting. If you disturb a molting hermit crab at a critical time during their molt while trying to determine if they are alive or not, the results can be disastrous.
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Molting on the Surface
Since you are assuming your hermit crab is molting until proven otherwise, if your hermit crab appears lifeless and is in an isolation tank, leave them alone and watch to see what happens. If your hermit crab is in the main tank with other hermit crabs, especially if they are on the surface, cut the ends off of a two-liter pop bottle and sink it into the sand to surround the crab with a clear protective barrier.
Do not disturb a crab that is limply hanging out of its shell, but rather, protect them from other crabs. If they are molting, they should continue through the process if given the time to do so. If they have died, they will start to smell badly within a few days. A hermit crab may take up to two months to complete the entire molting process, so you will know far before that time whether or not they are still alive—and smaller crabs do not take nearly this long to complete the entire molting process.
If you find what appears to be a dead crab on the surface next to an empty shell, have a closer look to see if it is just an exoskeleton. If it is hollow and crumbles easily, it is an old exoskeleton, and your hermit crab has already molted and moved on to a new shell. Have a quick peek in a nearby shell, and you might find your molted crab hiding out in their new home.
Is My Hermit Crab Dead or Molting?
FAQ
What do hermit crabs look like when molting?
When a hermit crab is molting, it will appear limp and lifeless, with its body often partially out of its shell. The crab may also have a chalky or dull appearance to its exoskeleton, and its eyes may look cloudy. Newly formed limbs may appear as soft, light-colored buds.
How long do hermit crabs take to molt?
Is my hermit crab sick or molting?
If the crab begins to smell you will know its passed on. If not, then there is a good chance it is molting and the exoskeleton will be eaten over the next several days. There really is nothing you can do to stop your hermit crab from dying. The most important thing to remember at this point is: DO NOT HANDLE YOUR CRAB!
What color are hermit crabs when they molt?
The leg tips of the hermit crab turn lighter in color, along with a lighter whitish/beige coloring at the joints of the legs and the chelipeds . With some, the outer parts of the legs change to a whitish/beige in color with the very center of the legs and chelipeds having a darker coloring to them.