behaviur

[ally94]

mi hermit crab s very active.but she lost her leg.and her color is getting less vibrant.yesterday she just sat in the corner all day long and today i took her out of the corner and she just went into the hermie hut.is she molting?

[iluvhermies]

Well it's hard to say. Several factors could be the cause. If you could give us more info on her surroundings we can better help. How long have you had her? What is she eating? Do you have both salt and regular water for her? Is the water decholinized or bottled? What are your heat and humidity at? What is your set up like?

[erikleeson]

Well he may be stressed out. Which is the reason for the dropped leg, or it could be an attack from another crab. Make sure you have a proper enclosure.

•An all glass aquarium of at least 10 gallons
• A proper heat source, Lamps or UTH's will be fine. Temperature should be between 77 - 83
• Good humidity, should be between 75 - 85%. Raise it by spraying the tank with water.
• Fresh water, must be dechlorinated and in a dish deep enough to submerge 3/4 of him.
• Salt water, must be dechlorinated and you can't use table salt. Must be in large dish to submerge 3/4
• Proper food, don't give them commercial food. Feed them carrots to get the color back.
• Substrate. Crabs need to dig in sand or coco fiber and it should be twice their height.
• Various climbing objects. Hermits love to climb, and they need to climb to stay healthy and active.
•Hideouts, In a ten gallon, try and have two hideaways for them to feel safe in.
• Friends, hermit crabs do WAY better in groups of 5+
•Shade. Plants and tall structures will solve this.
•Extra shells. Hermit crabs change shells quite often and need to change.
•Extra space. Crabs like to dig and sit in open areas but can't do this in a crowded enclosure.
•Thermometer, to measure the temperature
• Hygrometer, to measure the humidity.

If this is all accomplished, he may be premolt.
Check to see if he's drinking alot
Check to see if he's digging alot
CHeck to see if he's inactive.

If he burys himslef, leave him alone for a couple weeks and he will come up when he's done molting.

Good luck!