I have an extra hermit crab now ???

[baba.aqua]

Hey GANG,

I put in 3 hermit crabs in my tank,

The other day I noticed a crab without a shell, and still have three hermit crabs in their shells? Where did it come from??

 

[Dread Pirate Dave]

Live rock? That's my only guess.

Actually - is it a molt? If it isn't moving then it is probably a molt.

 

[baba.aqua]

I thought that for a moment but it vanished ???

 

[Dread Pirate Dave]

I thought that for a moment but it vanished ???

I believe that some of it may be eaten by the crab itself after it molts. I forget where I read that though.

 

[Cheezeits]

I believe that some of it may be eaten by the crab itself after it molts. I forget where I read that though.

A lot of things eat shedded skin, its a good source of nutrients and to also hide their tracks. I had Leopard Gecko's when I was younger and they did the same thing. Only thing I can think of that doesn't really eat their shed would be snakes, so it makes complete sense that crabs would do it (hard shells probably don't)