Scarlet Hermit Molting

[PacificBlueReef]

Now I never thought it was possible for crabs to molt (shed skin) or have I ever seen anything like this before. It may not be a very good question, but I have had 5 scarlets(only hermit/crab in my tank) for about a month now and on two occasions i noticed what looked like a dead one out side of its shell. After searching the tank both times I found all 5 alive and well. This has me stumped any idead or explanations?

Thanks,
PacificBlueReef

 

[Paul Davies]

my hermits molt from time to time, might be just the case they are growing.

nothing to worry about.

 

[wetWolger]

mine do the same thing, i have too many to count in my tank....so I assumed they were slowly dieing off but I really have not seen a decline on the population (except for my snails from them killing them for the shells despite me laying tons of shells on the ground/behind the rocks)