Pre-Molt signs

Questions about hermit crabs moulting and its symptoms.
Post Reply
Hannah
Zygote
Zygote
Posts: 72
Joined: 04 Nov 2004, 13:33
Location: Burleson, Texas
Contact:

Pre-Molt signs

Post by Hannah »

Here are the signs of a molt coming.

Lethargy
Excess eating
Excess drinking
Excess digging
Changing into a shell that's waay too big for them (they dont always do this)
Ashy exo behind the eyes
Cloudy eyes (looks much like cataracts)
Tangled/Confused-looking antennaes (l have also noticed that with molts gone wrong)

Hermit crabs molt about every 18 months. Smaller ones molt more often, larger ones molt less often. Be very careful with jumbos molting, it is much more stressful on them to molt, so do the best you can to make them comfortable and not to disturb them.
Last edited by Hannah on 23 Feb 2005, 12:51, edited 1 time in total.
If any problems, PM or

email an Administrator or Moderator!!!
Our site: http://www.hermitcrabparadise.com
This is my sister's story- http://pages.ivillage.com/luvne
If

my advice doesn't help, PM, IM, or email me at blondey42992@yahoo.com
Thanks!!
User avatar
Wai
Administrator
Administrator
Posts: 2907
Joined: 01 Nov 2004, 14:12
Gender: Male
Hermit crabs: 6
Total gallons: 45
Total tanks: 1
Location: Victoria, Australia
Contact:

Post by Wai »

Also, another pre-molt sign is if their eyes are spread out into a 'V' shape instead of the usual ||. This may not apply to every crab, but it is one I have noticed.
Wai
Image
Hannah
Zygote
Zygote
Posts: 72
Joined: 04 Nov 2004, 13:33
Location: Burleson, Texas
Contact:

Post by Hannah »

hmm..... I dont usually catch that one..... mine are always like that right after molting........ then again mine are molting all the time! ^) Maybe it's just like that with Aussies?
If any problems, PM or

email an Administrator or Moderator!!!
Our site: http://www.hermitcrabparadise.com
This is my sister's story- http://pages.ivillage.com/luvne
If

my advice doesn't help, PM, IM, or email me at blondey42992@yahoo.com
Thanks!!
User avatar
Wai
Administrator
Administrator
Posts: 2907
Joined: 01 Nov 2004, 14:12
Gender: Male
Hermit crabs: 6
Total gallons: 45
Total tanks: 1
Location: Victoria, Australia
Contact:

Post by Wai »

I've definitely noticed it with Aussies.
Wai
Image
Post Reply