Hermit Crab Amputee

[Roboson]

One of my hermits molted the other day, but didn't come out in one piece. He found himself a nice spot on top of a shelf rock and hung out there for a few days and then molted. After a bit more skittish behavior I saw him front and center in my tank. But he looked weird and was walking strangely. I got a closer look and saw he was missing a leg and his right claw! What could have happened to my poor guy?

My tank is a 10g nano. It has a bunch of macro algae and a good supply of pods and other microfauna. Currently it is only inhabited by two hermit crabs, a brittle starfish, and bristle worms. It's over seven months old. Parameters are good.

Anyone have any ideas?

 

[Roboson]

Here's a rather blurry picture of the pore guy.

 

[GatorGuys]

I suspect something either scared it while molting or somehow there was an issue during the molt that the limbs didn't come out clean.

One cool thing about crabs is that they can regrow the missing limbs! It may take a couple months - but soon you will see a very small new claw! As long as it can still eat, it should be fine.

 

[Humblefish]

Sometimes they will lose a leg or claw following a molt. The good news is it will grow back! :)