Question about hermit crabs molting

[leafyseadragon]

I found what looked like a hermit crab out of its shell lying on the bottom of the tank this morning. It wasn't moving.

So either the hermit crab died , or it molted

Now I'm wondering, what do the remnants of a molt look like?

 

[fishtender]

I have the same quwstion. My biggest and most active red leg appears to be lying next to his shell, but I can still see red legs in the shell. :? :? I will check in the morning if he has moved or not. He is way deep in my LR against the back wall. I sure hope he has not passed.

 

[BBReef]

a molt will look like a shedding, it will be kinda clear and nothing in it. if the crab is dead you will be able to see the meat inside or attached to a leg or something.

 

[justin_tyme]

by personal experience the remains of a molt, if they're fresh, look tragically similar to a dead crab. Look for any transparent, skin-like stripes, and you'll know it's a molt. It's normal for them to stay hidden or less active after a molt, they're waiting for the new shell to harden.

 

[TriggerHappy]

this happened to me, but the crab reappeared after a couple days. I truly thought my trigger had a late night snack, but found out it just molted overnight...whew!