Hermit crab molt in a hole

[lsween89]

My red legged hermit crab molted today. Nearly had a heart attach thinking it had died! It didn’t bury under the sand but instead did it in a hole in the rockwork. I understand he needs to eat his exoskeleton to get strong and he is vulnerable to the other hermits in the tank just now is that correct? Advice online said to block up the entrance to his hole with some filter sponge for a couple of days to keep him protected and let him finish. Just wanting to check here if this is correct advice as I know there’s differences with land hermits and salt water hermits.

 

[Lasse]

I would not do anything - just let it be

Sincerely Lasse

 

[Tahoe61]

No intervention is warranted.

 

[lsween89]

I would not do anything - just let it be

Sincerely Lasse

So I don’t have to worry about my other hermits eating it when it’s vulnerable?

 

[lsween89]

No intervention is warranted.

Follow up question. The exoskeleton had fallen onto the ledge below. Should I just leave that as well and let the crab find and eat it himself if it wants it? Or should I tweezer it closer to it?

 

[Tahoe61]

No just leave it. My Fire Shrimps molts roughly every 3 weeks and I see the exoskeleton floating around and I just leave it be.

 

[Lasse]

So I don’t have to worry about my other hermits eating it when it’s vulnerable?

Its always a risk that the mould goes wrong and the hermit will be vulnerable but - IMO - that´s happens rather seldom. The point is that this will happeneven if you intervene - even worse - it can raise the stress level. Most hermit crabs I have had hide for a few days inside burrows or branching hard corals to prevent predation from other animals.

Let the exoskeleton be - it will be food for other animals

Sincerely Lasse

 

[lsween89]

Thanks so much! Feel like I panic at everything at this early stage!

 

[BryanM]

I would leave it be. Sure, it is vulnerable, but such is life for these critters that molt.