Do Scarlet Hermits Molt or leave their shell?

[tjkohler]

Will a scarlet hermit crab molt or leave his shell without another shell around? I found what looks like his head and possibly a little meat connected to it ... and of course his empty shell. Another hermit jumped on the shell and looks like he's been cleaning the inside although neither I nor the wife can see anything inside. I might be down a hermit, or a shell-less crab is somewhere in my liverock. I need to get a few empty shells I think.

 

[sistrmary]

They do molt and leave what looks like little ghost hermits floating around the tank when they're small, as they get bigger, their moltings start to look like little piles of leftover crab lol however, if his shell is empty, the other crab likely yanked him out of it and ate him. (they're nasty that way) But yes, get some empty shells they're cheap from swf.com and I've had good luck with most of their shells. (some have holes or are broken, but 1 or 2 out of 100 isn't bad)

 

[wrassecal]

You can go to a local hobby store, don't know what you have there, maybe a Michaels? or Hobby Lobby? Anyway, you can buy a sack of shells, quite a few which will be usable for about $2. HTH

 

[joe's reefer]

i have never seen mine molt but my shrimp all molt

 

[brianf01]

Do you guys take out the molted skin from a shrimp or crab, or do you leave it in the tank?

 

[heavenly damsel]

Yes they do molt and they will leave their shell for a larger one as needed.
I was not impressed with the bag of shells from SWF.com. they were smaller than the shells my hermits already had. Maybe it's just my luck.

 

[flyinbrian]

mine just molted today and yes I do take the molts out.

 

[slothy]

Originally posted by Heavenly Damsel
Yes they do molt and they will leave their shell for a larger one as needed.
I was not impressed with the bag of shells from SWF.com. they were smaller than the shells my hermits already had. Maybe it's just my luck.
i bought 50 from them, they where all medium to large

 

[heavenly damsel]

I have been very pleased with everything else I have purchased from SWF.com. Like I said ...... Just my luck.
I leave mine in, have read on the BB that it helps replenish the Calcium in the tank.

 

[daisy]

I've had crabs for about a year. They all molt, and I leave the molts in. My Calcium levels are great, my Alk is on the high side, pH never has fluctuated yet (though I probably shouldn't say that for fear of jinyxing it...).

 

[wrassecal]

I leave mine in too