What does a newly molted crab look like?
As your crab begins to regrow his claw, you might see a gooey-looking blob, often white or light gray, at then end of the leg bud where the claw used to be. This is called a limb bud, and it’s the beginning of your crab’s new claw. It normally appears just before your crab molts.
What color is a freshly molted hermit crab?
Regardless of the type of hermit crab you have, chances are he doesn’t look good when he’s getting ready to molt. Most hermit crabs turn an ashy gray or beige as they grow. They tend to dig under the sand to finish their molting, so when they emerge, be ready for the fresh, clean look of their natural colors.
How long does it take for a hermit crab to recover from molting?
The time it takes for a crab to complete a molt varies. As a general rule, the larger the crab, the longer the whole process will take. It is not unusual for an average-sized crab to spend about four to eight weeks going through the whole process, during which time it may stay completely buried in the sand.
Do hermit crabs stink when they molt?
If he’s dead, he’ll emit a strong odor, somewhat fishy-smelling, but that’s not a definitive sign that he’s dead — sometimes molting crabs smell bad, too. If he’s dead, his body will droop out of its shell, but this is also common in molting crabs.
How do you help a hermit crab molt?
When your crab is molting, the best thing you can do is leave him alone. Resist the urge to take a sneak peek at him; you don’t want to stress him out or tear his soft, new exoskeleton. The most you should do is mist the tank every day and replace the food and water.
How can you tell if a hermit crab is molting?
A molting crab appears quite limp and lifeless, and the body is often partway out of the shell. Sometimes, with very careful observation, you will be able to see small twitches from the hermit crab’s body while it is molting, but otherwise, it can be very difficult to tell whether or not it is still alive.