Moullting in shell

Questions about hermit crabs moulting and its symptoms.
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jakeron24
Zygote
Zygote
Posts: 8
Joined: 24 Aug 2010, 10:23
Gender: Male
Hermit crabs: 4
Total gallons: 10
Total tanks: 1

Moullting in shell

Post by jakeron24 »

My smallest purple pincher is moulting. Instead of digging into the substrate he has taken himself and his shell and isolated himself in a fairly large shell. I thought this was ok. its been a week or so and he has not come out. i checked on him and it looks like his shell is stuck at the entrance of the large shell. i hear him moving around in the large shell, but i am not sure if he would be able to get out if he tried. Should i dislodge the shell or let him be?
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ladybug15057
Coenobita
Coenobita
Posts: 3098
Joined: 03 Mar 2008, 04:12
Gender: Female
Hermit crabs: 82
Total gallons: 305
Total tanks: 7
Location: Southwestern Pa., U.S.

Re: Moullting in shell

Post by ladybug15057 »

Let him be, and if he is not sectioned off or iso'ed from the others please do so. Once he does molt he can easily be pulled out of the shell by one of the other hermies. I have had hermies make a 'plug' in a larger shell for molting. They usually hide for about a week or a tad longer, molt and come out. Wait at least 3 weeks. Good luck!
Marie (aka ladybug15057)

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jakeron24
Zygote
Zygote
Posts: 8
Joined: 24 Aug 2010, 10:23
Gender: Male
Hermit crabs: 4
Total gallons: 10
Total tanks: 1

Re: Moullting in shell

Post by jakeron24 »

He actually ended up dead
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