Why do I keep finding dismantled hermit crab legs ?

[Idech]

I have two red leg hermit crabs. A small one and a bigger one. Three times over the last months I have found complete sets of legs in the sand. At first I thought the crabs were dead but days or weeks later I would see one or the other walking around, or both.

Today, again, a full set of legs. I saw the bigger crab today. Alive.

I searched online but could not find evidence that hermit crabs molt. So do they? If not, what’s happening ?

 

[Dan_P]

I have two red leg hermit crabs. A small one and a bigger one. Three times over the last months I have found complete sets of legs in the sand. At first I thought the crabs were dead but days or weeks later I would see one or the other walking around, or both.

Today, again, a full set of legs. I saw the bigger crab today. Alive.

I searched online but could not find evidence that hermit crabs molt. So do they? If not, what’s happening ?

I would guess all animals with exoskeletons would have to molt as they grow.

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

I have two red leg hermit crabs. A small one and a bigger one. Three times over the last months I have found complete sets of legs in the sand. At first I thought the crabs were dead but days or weeks later I would see one or the other walking around, or both.

Today, again, a full set of legs. I saw the bigger crab today. Alive.

I searched online but could not find evidence that hermit crabs molt. So do they? If not, what’s happening ?

Hermit crabs absolutely molt, and that’s almost certainly what you’re seeing.

 

[ying yang]

Yeah hermit crabs molt and can even grow a leg back if lost and in the upcoming molts grow it back ( quite amazing )
After they molt their new exo-skeleton is softer so often hide/ keep low key while it hardens and become less vulnerable

 

[ying yang]

Hermit Crab Successful Molting

Molting is a stressful time in a hermit crab's life. Hermit crabs must have the proper environment to molt successfully. A mix of moist sand and coconut fiber works best for molting. If hermit crabs are allowed to molt properly they can live for decades.

www.hermitcrabpatch.com

Little info in hermits and molting for you

 

[Idech]

I’m glad to know it’s molting then. Thank you !

 

[Idech]

Hermit Crab Successful Molting

Molting is a stressful time in a hermit crab's life. Hermit crabs must have the proper environment to molt successfully. A mix of moist sand and coconut fiber works best for molting. If hermit crabs are allowed to molt properly they can live for decades.

www.hermitcrabpatch.com

Little info in hermits and molting for you

It says they eat the old exoskeleton. Should I leave the molted legs in the tank then ? I’ve left them for a few days but they never completely disappeared so I took them out.

 

[ying yang]

It says they eat the old exoskeleton. Should I leave the molted legs in the tank then ? I’ve left them for a few days but they never completely disappeared so I took them out.

Your choice whether leave in tank or remove ,I remove cleaner shrimp molts as get stuck in wave makers eventually but leave hermit crab molts in tank unless I'm removing some empty clam shells that I feed and molt is near it ,but won't go out my way to get it

 

[stevolough]

Put in a few empty shells larger then the ones there in to give them options as they grow.

 

[Mark Goode]

Put in a few empty shells larger then the ones there in to give them options as they grow.

And laugh as they blunder about when trying one that's too big. I like hermits.

 

[Idech]

Put in a few empty shells larger then the ones there in to give them options as they grow.

I did that when I first got them. There’s plenty housing choices in the tank.

 

[Brian Berry]

I have two red leg hermit crabs. A small one and a bigger one. Three times over the last months I have found complete sets of legs in the sand. At first I thought the crabs were dead but days or weeks later I would see one or the other walking around, or both.

Today, again, a full set of legs. I saw the bigger crab today. Alive.

I searched online but could not find evidence that hermit crabs molt. So do they? If not, what’s happening ?

I do not know, I have hermit crabs that have been dying. I do not know if it is a fish that is messing with them. I have 2 clowns and a dotty back that I see messing with them. Good luck

 

[Brian Berry]

I have two red leg hermit crabs. A small one and a bigger one. Three times over the last months I have found complete sets of legs in the sand. At first I thought the crabs were dead but days or weeks later I would see one or the other walking around, or both.

Today, again, a full set of legs. I saw the bigger crab today. Alive.

I searched online but could not find evidence that hermit crabs molt. So do they? If not, what’s happening ?

I saw a post from a experienced reefer saying to someone else about molting.

 

[TokenReefer]

Was hoping snails somehow got revenge

 

[HBtank]

All arthropods molt.

 

[Idech]

Update : I don’t know if it’s the same one, but one of my hermit crabs died. I thought it was molting but then a nassarius ate it so I guess it was dying. I had it for about a year. The other one is okay.

I just bought a bunch of blue legs and a halloweeen. I hope they live a long life.

 

[jimk60]

Update : I don’t know if it’s the same one, but one of my hermit crabs died. I thought it was molting but then a nassarius ate it so I guess it was dying. I had it for about a year. The other one is okay.

I just bought a bunch of blue legs and a halloweeen. I hope they live a long life.

Unfortunately your better off if they don't live too long. After a few years the shells get so big they turn into wrecking balls roaming your aquarium!

 

[Mark Goode]

I seem to have lost a blue knuckle hermit -or at least I haven't seem him for a few weeks. Shame, I think they're cute.

 

[Idech]

I seem to have lost a blue knuckle hermit -or at least I haven't seem him for a few weeks. Shame, I think they're cute.

I wouldn’t see mines for weeks and weeks. It might be just fine.

 

[Rmckoy]

Agree with molt but as they grow they need to transfer to larger shells .