What's dying? (Electric Blue Hermit Crab Legs)

[michad]

I have two electric blue hermit crabs. Two, not three, not four, two.

Twice now I've found legs (3+ both times and the first time part of the body attached) to my electric blue hermits in the sandbed. Both times I was a little sad and figured, life in the tank isnt for sissys.

Today, just like last time I was surprised to find both electric blue crabs alive and well scooting around being crabs.

What gives? Do these guys molt?

I did get 20 or so blue legged crabs when I started populating the tank, they arent electric blues. Not as big, not as "blue".

Any thoughts?

 

[JetCat USA]

yes they are molts more then likely, a molt will usually have all the legs/claws/antenna and the front half of the body as a complete molted shell.

 

[michad]

Thanks, I dont know why I didnt research that more. I asked a couple of friends in the hobby and did a little searching.

Sure makes me feel bad for putting the Arrow in timeout (sump) awhile back cus I thought he was murdering the scarlets.

 

[JetCat USA]

probably a good thing, arrows will catch small fish and consume them

 

[CapitalO]

I remember when my Emerald mithrax would molt, leaving the shedded exoskeleton perched in a very visible spot in the tank. I read they do this to distract predators since they are vulnerable after a molt.

Anyway, the molt looked exactly like the crab. Legs hooked onto LR and everything, even after taking it out and examining it, I couldnt find any breaks or tears in the molt. It was practically identical to the crab itself... amazing stuff.