Hermit Crabs

[UnderwaterWorld]

Do hermit crabs molt?

I am almost positive that I only have one and I still seem him in there in him shell but I see what looks to be the skeleton of another green one about the same size.


Do green hermits molt?

 

[Bifferwine]

Yep...

 

[Doc]

most hermits drop their shell when they outgrow it and hunt down a bigger shell. If they cannot find one, they will seek out a snail with a shell that is bigger, kill it, and then steal the shell.

Emerald crabs, strawberry crabs, Acro crabs, etc molt

-Doc

 

[cthegame]

most hermits drop their shell when they outgrow it and hunt down a bigger shell. If they cannot find one, they will seek out a snail with a shell that is bigger, kill it, and then steal the shell.

Emerald crabs, strawberry crabs, Acro crabs, etc molt

-Doc

Yup. That's what happened to me. I had some empty shells all over the tank but i guess the hermit wanted the snail's. So in the morning i noticed a Hermit with a snail shell...but now he has to dodge my yellow tang trying to pick at the algae on the shell...ha ha ha

 

[fishbait]

if it has an exoskeleton, it must molt to grow.

 

[Bifferwine]

True, true, Fishbait. All crustaceans molt.