Can crabs go blind?

[merigdon]

I've had three crabs since July of this year. (Hermie, Dot Monster, and Fire Monster) Hermie and Dot Monster are doing great. Hermie is most active, and DM is getting better. I'm worried about Fire Monster though. His right eye is a cloudy white-ish color, while the other is very black. He's VERY easily startled, moves slowly, and stays hidden in the sand most of the time. He is too big for his shell (long spiral) and all his legs hang out. I bought 2 new shells (short spiral, all they had) and he won't change shells. Do I need to get the long spiral shells for him? How can I encourage him to move?

[Wai]

Hmm... I haven't heard of a hermit crab with just one eye cloudy... is it transparent as though no eyeball is inside?

I strongly recommend that you get Fire Monster a load of shells of different types for him to choose from. He may be very stressed for wearing a shell too small for him. Two shells may not be enough to satisfy him (or he may change into them later on), but it's better not to take the risk and buy him more shells.

What climbing toys do you have in the tank? He may be bored or is pre-moult. Inactivity may be one of the symptoms of pre-moult.

[Julia_Crab]

A cloudy eye or eyes is usually the sign of an impending molt, along with his sluggishness and wanting to dig.

Disturb him as little as possible, provide foods high in sugars -- honey and coconut in particular, as well as carotenoids and calcium. And give him some time. He'll be a whole new crab when he finally molts.

[hermiesrokmysox]

It does sound like a molt.
hermit crabs porbably can go blind, but only when they have deformed eyes...just maybe. I will have to look that up some time. (i had always wondered that too)
I hope if he molts, that it goes well! :)