After moulting...then what?

[kristy5k]

Hello all...

I have had my first 2 moulters since becoming a HC lover a couple months a ago. Two of mine (PP's about the size of a quarter), went down within days of each other a couple weeks ago. My first guy just came up. Now what are they supposed to look like when they come up? I thought they were supposed to be all lethargic, where I should be hands off for a while and in need of calcium.....so of course I offered shrimp, apples, honey and egg shells.

The little bugger ate like crazy AND is happier than a clam <pun intended>. Moving around, poking at shells, climbling. Is this normal? Has this ever happened to you? Or are HC just individuals and this little guy just did his own thing and now he's just happy and hungry? What color should he be now?

Thanks for all your help. Tank infor ... glass, plexi, lights, consistent temp/humid, playsand, salt and fresh water, fresh food only (unless I used dried fruits), second level with moss in it.

Looking forward to reading your replies!

Kristy~!

[Wai]

If he's eating, then that's definitely a good sign. Just let them be, but keep an eye out for your other hermit crab who has yet to come out.

[erikleeson]

If your crab looks pale and like, well he just shed his skin off, its normal. If your crab came up looking the same if not more colorful that is excellent. When they molt, they usually eat the exo and come back up and eat the rest of the exo. But an excellent molt sign is when they come back up and already ate the old exo and are ready to climb and stuff. Leave them be, feed them carotene and calcium rich food for a week then everything is back to normal.

[kristy5k]

Thanks all. He doesn't look pale at all. He actually looks well the best I can do is pinky verging into a light purple. Still eating...moving around. I'm not touching him though...just letting him do his thing.

How long should I wait to see if the other guy comes up? No tank smell yet....so I thought I'd just bide my time and wait. How much longer do you think?

Hugggz,

Kristy~!

[krabby_katie]

I would just wait until you see him come up or smell a fishy smell in the tank. It's better to wait and not taking any chances at digging up a molter. Believe me, it isn't fun.