weird Hermit crab question

[bsmith22]

Hi folks! I am a noob to saltwater aquariums. I have a 55 gallon tank with LS and rock. pH is 1.023 Temp 80 degrees. I added 5 blue leg and 5 red led hermit crabs and 5 snails to my tank 3 days ago. (Only things in it at the moment.) This morning I noticed that one of the red leg hermit crabs has turned completely gray/white and put 2 shells together - opening to opening- and is just sitting there. Hasn't moved around much. He is still alive because I can see his legs retract into one of the shells if I shine a light on him. Does anyone know WHY this crab turned colors or why he's hiding like this? The other crabs are all running around, eating, and switching shells. Any help/advice would be appreciated! Thanks in advance!

 

[joe____17]

He's probably just trying to swicth a shell.

 

[bsmith22]

I have seen him switch shells when I first put him in, but he was red...now he's white/gray.

 

[snakeblitz33]

In all my years in this hobby, I have never seen a crab switch shells.
HE should be fine, no worries!

 

[jelly-shrimp]

i may be a noob...but pH at 1.023!!! Thats some mad acid going on in there!!!

 

[bigarn]

Originally Posted by jelly-shrimp
http:///forum/post/2918641
i may be a noob...but pH at 1.023!!! Thats some mad acid going on in there!!!
I think he means SG.

 

[bsmith22]

oops, yeah...specific gravity...my bad!

 

[gmann1139]

Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33
http:///forum/post/2918452
In all my years in this hobby, I have never seen a crab switch shells.
HE should be fine, no worries!
Really? Like you've never seen the actual act, or you've never had a crab switch shells?

 

[joe____17]

He means hes never had a crab come out and switch its shell.

 

[reefman22]

He very well may be switching shells. It happens quite often in my tank. Ive never heard of them changing colors though. I wouldnt mind it too much because as long as your levels are up and the clean up crew is the only thing in the tank, one red leg shouldnt have too much affect on things. If he dies and you see it happening with all the others, there may be another side to the story lol.
reefman

 

[spanko]

He may have molted and that could be the cause of the color difference.

 

[robertmathern]

Originally Posted by spanko
http:///forum/post/2918715
He may have molted and that could be the cause of the color difference.
+1 either that or he is about to molt and its the old skin (for lack of the word) . And I agree with snake my hermits change shell all the time. I can even tell when they are going to do it. I watch them forever and as soon as I blink I missed the whole thing

 

[dustyboy316]

molting.

 

[bsmith22]

ok guys, thanks for the help! I will keep my eye on him and see what happens!