Bad molt on hermit crab

[Pennymom38]

Really bad molt! This was his third molt and he ended up with just a claw. I wondered why he wasn't moving. I have him in a small glass with algae pellets which he is eating. Will he molt properly again? Should I do something else? This happened during treatment with UltraLife for cyano which had pretty much taken over the tank. I used a big bubbler and have added charcoal in my 12 gal nano. Help.


This is in the wrong place. Maybe someone could move it to the proper section? Thanks.

 

[aqua_holic]

I don't know a thing about hermit crabs, but I know quite a bit about crayfish and diet can cause trouble with molts. Do hermit crabs eat algae?

A quick search revealed that hermit crabs are omnivores and take a wide range of food from fruits, vegetables and nuts to meat.

 

[Pennymom38]

Are you talking about the land hermits? This is a marine guy in my nano cube. I can't see him eating nuts. The shrimp are molting just fine and this one has molted twice already with no problems. He eats bits of shrimp when I put them in but mostly he eats algae. But thanks for your reply. I just checked him and his one claw is eating that algae wafer like crazy. Sad.

 

[aqua_holic]

Like I said I dont know anything about hermit crabs

 

[PB_Smith]

Yes, he should regenerate the missing limb next molt.


What salt mix do you use?
If it is one of the major brands it should have the needed trace elements.
I know iodine is one needed for crusty's to molt properly.


I have an arrow crab that I purchased with only one claw, and I'm also playing the waiting game for him to molt and hopefully it will reappear.


My banded coral shrimp has regenerated legs and a claw a few times now.
I have noticed that my hermit crabs will often eat the shrimp molts.


and I also give my hermits and other crusty's the Hikari algae wafers, they love 'em, even my green brittle star eats them...LOL

 

[Pennymom38]

I see the emphasis on should but I am optimistic. I buy my water from the LFS. It's only a 12 gal nano. If he eats the shrimp molts I haven't seen it. I saw my Sally Lightfoot eating the hermit's molt the other day. We shall see. Thanks for answering.