I think it's a molt

[MoribundMaverick]

I think I caught my crab Tarzan in his preperations for a molt!
I just got him yesterday, and he came to me in a painted shell that was too small for him and had a hole in the side so you could see his tummy.
I just had to save him, so I took him home an he changed shells quickly.

But now he's hanging half way out of his shell!? I'm pretty sure he's starting to molt. He's kind of looking around an waving his antennas.... I ISO'd him just in case. But I have no clue what this guy is doing!! It'll be a surface molt, and I think his first one, judging by size...

I also have another crab that keeps digging and eating. That's all she does. I think she's in preperations, too... Is it molting season or something? That's two out of three!

[alli'smommy]

I have noticed that new crabs, in my experiences, alot of times molt pretty soon. I believe it is because they are in the proper conditions in our homes to do so. They will put off molting as long as they can until they have good conditions to do it. Mine also tend to molt together! Someone on here once told me that they send out a hormone that sets off a chain reaction of molting! IDK, but it makes sense to me!!

[MoribundMaverick]

The only thing that really concerns me is that all this morning he was running around naked!? I've always heard that that's not a good sign, but I found on some other web site that they do sometimes do that when they are ready to molt.
I just got home and saw that he is inside of his hut thing again and has his bottom propped inside the shell, but the rest of him is outside. I know he's alive, because he's wiggling his antennas.
I put a towel over the tank in hopes that it'd make him more comfortable with his surface molt- I'd read somewhere that a lady does that on her surface molt crabs and they come out fine...
I really hope it's a molt and nothing more.

When I checked on my other two crabbies, Jerzy, the one I think is also preparing to molt, was burried in a different location than normal. I looked to find Bob, and realized why Jerzy was burried somewhere else! Bob stole her spot!!

If I have all three crabs molt at once, I swear I'll go crazy

[alli'smommy]

I know! I sit and stare at an empty tank for about 2 months, then slowly they start popping back up! I came home from church tonight and saw one walking around! I was sooo excited-he'd been down about six weeks!!

[silver616]

I have also noticed that new crabs seem to molt soon after I get them home as well as the "bulk" molting. Unfortunately, the only times I've had a crab go "naked" have usually ended in them dying. I hate to say that, but I've never had a positive experience come out of that situation...you may want to ask some others on here about what they've done in those situations.

[HERMEZ]

Crabs that are naked are usually dying--check your temps and humidity to make sure they are in range--I hope all is ok

[MoribundMaverick]

temp and humidity are perfect... I have no clue what's wrong! =(

I got a crab from this store called Earthbound, and then two days after I bought it, it died. So I exchanged it for this one... and now, he's naked. No smell or anything. He's just sitting in his rock naked... =(

Why would he do this??

What can I do to get him back in his shell? Should I do anything?

[HermitPaws]

Palce him in a cup with a few drops of water and his shell and cover. leave alone till he is eather dead or back in his shell.

Good luck with you crab ( *Fingers crossed*)

[krackersmom2]

A naked crab doesn't sound good.....If he was getting ready to molt, moving him into ISO could have stressed him out. You really do not need to ISO unless another crab is picking on them. Did you check him for mites when you bought him home? Mites and PPS are two common causes for death. Mites are hard to detect, but if you hold them under a light or dip them in a salt water bath, you may see them skimming along the surface of the water when you hold it under a bright light.
Keep us posted....best of luck!

[MoribundMaverick]

....Pretty sure he's dead.
But the stink hasn't come yet, so I'm still waiting.

I think that Jerzy <i>already</i> molted, though! She showed up last night and ate, and she was really light coloured except on her purple and red claw, which were still purple and red. That's what's throwing me off. Maybe she's just still preparing to molt? Idk. She burried herself for two days and then showed back up... idk.