As a hermit crab owner, it can be tough to tell if your crab is dead or just molting. A molting crab and a dead crab can look very similar at first glance. However, there are some key signs that can help you identify if your hermit crab has sadly passed away. In this article, I’ll go over the step-by-step process of determining if your crab is dead or alive.
Observe Your Crab’s Behavior
The first signs of trouble usually start with changes in your crab’s behavior in the days leading up to its death or molt.
Here are some behaviors to look out for:
- Lethargy and inactivity
- Lack of interest in food
- Staying tucked in its shell
- Unusual burying or digging
If you notice any of these, it likely indicates your crab is either preparing to molt or is feeling ill Monitor it closely over the next few days
Check for Early Signs of Death
If the lethargy persists and worsens, check for these early signs of impending death:
- Very watery eyes
- Milky colored patches on exoskeleton
- Strong rotten fish odor from crab
The unpleasant fishy smell is usually the clearest giveaway that your crab has passed Healthy molting crabs should not smell
Look For Signs of Molting
If there is no odor, your crab may be molting. Signs that point to a molt rather than death include:
- Buried itself underground
- Cloudy, opaque eyes
- Grey, ashy skin
- Excessive drinking of water
The eyes are the biggest clue here. Molting crabs often have cloudy eyes as they prepare to shed their exoskeleton.
Monitor Your Molting Crab
If you suspect a molt over death, set up an isolation tank and move the buried crab into it. Do not disturb or handle the crab. Simply provide food and freshwater and wait.
Here is what to look for:
- The exoskeleton will shed and can look like a lifeless crab. This is normal!
- Over several days, the crab will consume its old exoskeleton.
- The crab will become active again once the molting process completes.
If at any point the crab starts to smell, you’ll know it has died rather than molted.
Identify a Dead Crab
If your crab has passed away, here is what you will observe:
- The lifeless crab will hang limply out of its shell.
- After 1-2 days, a strong rotten fish odor will arise from the crab.
- The crab will be unresponsive to touch and lack eye movement.
Sadly at this point, the crab cannot be saved. You will need to remove it from the tank.
Dispose of a Dead Crab Properly
To properly dispose of your dead crab:
- Use gloves to pick up the crab.
- Place the crab in a plastic bag and seal it.
- Bury the bag underground or double bag it and put in your trash.
Make sure to thoroughly clean the tank and accessories before adding any new crabs. Also monitor your other crabs closely for signs of stress or illness.
When in Doubt, Isolate!
The takeaway here is that if you ever suspect your crab may be dead or molting, isolate it immediately. Setting up a separate 10-20 gallon tank is recommended.
This prevents disturbing a molting crab and also stops dead crabs from contaminating your main tank. Simply isolate and observe. This buys you time to see if the crab recovers on its own or starts to smell, making its fate clear.
Community Q&ASearch
- Question Do hermit crabs eat their old exoskeletons?
Community Answer Yes, they do. Never take away their old exoskeletons; they need them to harden their new skins. - Question Are hermit crabs omnivores, carnivores or herbivores?
Community Answer Hermit crabs are omnivorous. In the wild, they are scavengers and eat anything they can find, from carcasses to parts of windflowers. You can buy hermit crab food that contain carnivorous and herbivorous food in pet stores. It is also good to change up their diets with different types of foods. - Question My crab is not moving, no matter what I do. What should I do? Community Answer You may stroke the crab lightly to encourage him to move. If he still doesnt but is alive, just let him be until he is ready to move.
Disposing of a Dead Crab
- 1 Dig up a buried crab and dispose of it if you smell a rotting-fish odor. To be sanitary, scoop the dead crab up along with the sand it was buried in. Dispose of the crab and the sand in one swoop.[6]
- Make sure to wash your hands thoroughly with antibacterial soap after handling a dead crab.
- 2 Throw your dead crab out with the garbage. If you have no qualms about trashing your deceased crustacean, you can simply place the carcass into a standard waste bin and put it out for garbage collection. Put the body into a Ziploc bag, lay it carefully into the trash, and let it be.
- 3 Bury your dead crab. If you cant bear the thought of throwing out your crustacean friend, consider burying him beneath a foot of soil. This is a very personal decision, and you need to do what you must to feel okay about the situation. Make sure that you bury him deep enough that other animals—dogs, cats, raccoons, etc.—cannot dig up the body.
- Feel free to bury the dead crab along with the sand from his cage or tank. The sand may be contaminated, and burying is a great way to safely dispose of it.
- 4 Do not flush your dead crab down the toilet. The flush may seem like a quick and easy solution, but it is not a sanitary choice. Theres a chance that a rotting carcass will contaminate the water supply. Bury or trash your dead hermit crab instead.
- 5 Prepare the tank for a new crab. If you want to replace your departed hermit crab, clean the tank before you introduce your new pet. Clear away any sand that may have been contaminated by a rotting dead crab; clean the sides of the tank; replace any water.
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Is My Hermit Crab Dead or Molting?
FAQ
How do you know if a hermit crab died?
Is crab molting or dead?
When exploring the beach and you come across what you may think is a dead crab it could actually be a molt or shed of the crab’s exoskeleton. Well, is it stinky or goopy? It is most likely dead, however, if the critter shell in question opens from the back side, is not stinky, and does not goop, it is a molt!
Do hermit crabs die quickly?
Sometimes it’s a week, or a month but it could take longer. Gill damage from dry air (lack of humidity) can be a slow painful death for a hermit crab.
Do crabs still move after they die?
After the procedure, the crab may still exhibit a little movement. This may simply be the muscles contracting after death but check for unresponsiveness and limpness of the limbs as there may be a chance the ganglia was not completely destroyed.