missing molt crab

[sprite hermit]

Hi guys! just recently my 4 small crabs decided to go underground so i figured they mustve molted.im not sure how long it takes for a small crab to molt but after a few days they were up again as if nothing happened. they are small..as in small crabs like mini ones. i noticed that there were crab joints and a pincer just lying on one spot in the tank.then i saw the smallest of the small crabs underground too but when i picked him up his shell was empty and covered with sand.put him back and hes stll not coming up. checked awhile ago and found out his shell was empty after i died it in the water bowl to clean off the sand buildup. i cant find him even after iv dug into the sand. what do you think happened?

[ha_notfunny]

I'm kinda new to this whole hermit crab thing too. I wouldn't worry too much about it though. Chances are that s/he just shifts areas. I'm sure they're just fine

~Porsche'

[Hildegarde]

Your posting is a bit difficult to understand. Are you saying that the crab is naked because you found his shell empty? It also seems that you are digging up crabs that have gone down. If you could be more specific, we may be able to help you.

[silver616]

Don't dig up crabs!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Lukems]

As Silver Nicely Stated, You shouldn't dig up crabs, If they were molting, You should leave them alone, When they are stressed, They tend to drop Bp's and Limbs, It's not TOTALY bad but, When they go back down, Dont dig them up, After a Successful Molt, They will grow back thier Lost Limbs. Also try to put the limbs next to them before or after the molt, As they eat this for Vitamins C and Calcium.
Hope I helped!
Chase (Lukems)