Possible Moult... Didn't realise until now...

Questions about hermit crabs moulting and its symptoms.
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Mim
Zoea I
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Possible Moult... Didn't realise until now...

Post by Mim »

Hi All,
I think one of my new hermies has just moulted (Going by colour & the fact that he has been underground since I got him..)
I was changing the coral over (They have been eating it...) and notice him underneath... I picked him up to move him (Not realising) So as not to squish him (Along with the crab formally known as Stripey) with the new coral.. He is all grey... No sign of any orange like the others, very shy (But that's just him in general)..
My big question is, should I seperate him now that he is almost done? or will it stress him out even more?? I live in an area which is naturally high in temperature & humidity, so thats no propblem.. Just worried about what the other 5 will do... Though they seem to have left him alone so far...

Thanks guys!!!
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Wai
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Re: Possible Moult... Didn't realise until now...

Post by Wai »

Does his exoskeleton look 'polished'? If it still looks dull and doesn't reflect the light then he hasn't finished hardening. I would probably set up a barrier around him with a soda bottle if he hasn't finished hardening. Has he finished eating his shed exoskeleton?
Wai
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Mim
Zoea I
Zoea I
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Joined: 18 Oct 2010, 23:36
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Location: Queensland

Re: Possible Moult... Didn't realise until now...

Post by Mim »

It seems to be starting to get a shine to it...
Im not sure about the skeleton... But I haven't been able to find it yet... So I'm not sure wether he ate it or one of the others has... He was pigging out on the cuttlefish in the tank last night when I checked... and then went into the salt bath for a while...
Just noticed how grey he is when the rest are the bright orange/brown... (For all I know he could have moulted before I got him...)
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Mim
Zoea I
Zoea I
Posts: 102
Joined: 18 Oct 2010, 23:36
Gender: Female
Hermit crabs: 5
Total gallons: 0
Total tanks: 1
Location: Queensland

Re: Possible Moult... Didn't realise until now...

Post by Mim »

He is still very much underground & only popping out for short bursts during the day... The others are very much night crabbies, bar one, who is too busy eating to worry about him..
He pops out for a quick bath, or feed then buries himeself straight away... especially if there is the slightest hint of movement anywhere... (even the gecko who lives in the room freaks him out... and that isn't in the tank!! 8| )
I am leaving him be for now... The tank doesn't smell fishy or anything... The others are leaving him alone... Making sure they get lots of grapes so the wont be hungry...lol..
Any advice would be great!
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ladybug15057
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Re: Possible Moult... Didn't realise until now...

Post by ladybug15057 »

Bump up the chitin source as in shrimp exo's, ocean plankton or other crustacean/insect type exo's to curve the others desire for hermie exo. Get a pair of real soft pacing slippers and get ready... some have been known to cause wear marks in their carpeting while a hermie has molting on their minds. ;) Good Luck!
Marie (aka ladybug15057)

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Mim
Zoea I
Zoea I
Posts: 102
Joined: 18 Oct 2010, 23:36
Gender: Female
Hermit crabs: 5
Total gallons: 0
Total tanks: 1
Location: Queensland

Re: Possible Moult... Didn't realise until now...

Post by Mim »

Always have cuttle bone in the tank & hve been offering dried shrimp, seaweed etc at all times... (The smell of the shrimp would cover the smell of ANYTHING!!! Lol..)
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