surface molts.

[indo]

all of my hermit crabs have surface molted. why?

[emmac350]

To best answer your question, we need more information about your crabitat.

What kind of substrate do you have?

How moist is it?

What is the temperature of your tank and of your substrate?

What is your humidity level? What kind of heat source do you use (i.e. under-tank heater, heat lamp, etc.)?

What kind of water do you use, and do you offer salt water? If so, what kind of mix do you use for the salt water?

What kind of food do you offer?

How big is your tank?

I think if you can answer those for us, it will help us pinpoint why your crabs surface molted.

[erikleeson]

Well hermit crabs surface molt due to the ecydisis hormone not being able to function properly. When molting time comes, if this cannot happen the crab will pull a surface molt.

Hermit crabs can only excrete this hormone is darkness. You will need a substrate that is three times the height of your largest crab and it must be kept a good moisture level. 'Sand castle consistency' is a good rate. If you can easily make a hole with your finger in the sand or coco fiber, but it is arguably "wet" then you should be good. In other words, it should be tolerable for digging, but you should not have wet fingers after moving it around. Hermit crabs also need access to both types of water prior to molting so they can stock up on their shell water supply so they don't dehydrate during this period.

If these two components (acceptable substrate & water availability) are met, then a surface molt is usually not likely to happen. You can also decrease the chance of a surface molt by providing correct temperature and humidity ranges in the tank, offer a wide variety of organic foods, and provide plenty of shade and shelters.

Hope this helps.

[ladybug15057]

Indo, my question to you is: Are your surface molts successful?
When you state surface molts, are they in any form of a hidey area?
And what do you use for a substrate, and how large are your water sources?

Now reason I am asking these questions is I have been crabbing now for 8+ years. I consider my hermies having surface molts and it is not due to lacking anything in any of my tanks or iso's. Temps are regulated with thermostats on each, humidity level is fairly stable, substrate is CaribSea Aragonite sand, (sugar or select grains... both oolitic), large and deep water sources, plenty of hidey huts (that are dark) as well as single hidey areas, and I do have surface molts. Nothing wrong with my tank conditions, or the substrate, I use dry sand... but plenty of water throughout my tanks and iso's that the hermies are quite capable of dampening it themselves if this is what they want or need. On rare occasions I may have one who does dampen the sand some. To date, I have had 609 molts, of which 607 have been successful and all what I consider surface molts with 1 E hermie Squirmy who molts in a bottle.
So indo if your hermies are molting and recovering successfully... I do not see any problems. They are molting where they feel most comfortable at.