The crab may not be dead. When they are molting they are very fragile and don't move much. You need to wait for a strong fishy smell, and then you will know he is dead.
Is My Hermit Crab Dead?
It is possible that he is dead, but hopefully he's still alive!
How Do I Tell If My Hermit Crab Is Dead?
- Check his water, and see if it is dry. If so, then he may not have had enough water to live.
- Does he smell? If he smells of rotten fish he is dead. If he smells of chemicals then he may be molting.
- Try to pick him slightly off the sand. If he moves into his shell or tries to touch the sand, he may be alive.
- If he stays still and does not stink then leave him with water and food for a little bit. He may or may not eat it but it is possible he is molting.
- If he falls out of his shell then he is dead.
- How long have you had him? If you had him only for the last two months he may have died of stress.
Good luck with your crab!
They sometimes become inactive for a while. Most people fear they are dead, but sometimes you just have wait for a few weeks.
If it hasn't moved for a long time, it's probably dead, and if its legs are spread far apart then that's another sign that it might be dead.
My hermit crab did that the first he came out of his shell, and then he just layed there for hours so I put him back in his shell.
Then he came out again and started to smell and died, so I'm pretty sure yours is dead.
I do have 5 more hermit crabs though, and they all molted - and 3 of them changed from light orange to dark red, then purple, so he/she might still have a chance. Good luck!
Unfortunately, it sounds like your hermit crab is dead. His turning and switching to different colors such as orange and purple doesn't sound good, but there's still a chance he's okay.
Molting doesn't have any connection with the condition of your hermit crab.
It does sound like he's dead if he's not moving and has changed colour, although you can't be sure. Check his heartbeat for confirmation. Still, I suggest you to take him the the vet for examination.
My hermit crab did the same thing, but I have had a lot of experience with animals.
I think mine is dead because the abdomen is very soft. Why don't you check yours? If it's soft, then it's probably dead. If not, I think it should be fine. Mine stinks, too, so I also think it is dead because of that.
It's probably still molting. Mine started today and is out of its shell. If it smells, it's dead, and if it doesnt look closely in the shell and you can see it snug inside, usually.
I need help!!! Okay I've had many hermit crabs but now I'm stumped... Okay so ive had this crab for about 2yrs...a couple days ago he molted most of his body by the time I got him in a seperate tank then in the seperate tank he came out of his shell... He was just laying on his side(shellless) and his eyes were really chalky looking.. So I left him there thinking it would get better.. Today he shed a bit more and his eyes look better and he is still moving his limbs but not like crawling BUT he kind of smells. I know smell usually indicates that he is dead but he is still moving thats why I'm confused... Please someone help me decide if he is dying or molting or what is going on!!and I don't know what to do to make his molting/ dying experience better..
My crab has come out of its shell, and its been in the same place for a while. I thought I saw it move, but I'm not sure. It has not changed color, and it does not smell bad - it kind of smells like cleaning product but I have not put any near it. Help me, someone!
The same thing happened to my hermit crab Hermie Junior. I'm so sorry but your crab is dead.
Probably. My hermit crab did the same exact thing, and now he is dead.
I have the same question but for the fact that he is changing color like that I have to sadly dead. I am very sorry for your loss. :-(
My crab doesnt smell bad and he is normal colour but he wont move and he wont go into another shell, one of my other crabs stole his shell but I don't know if he is dead or not :( I don't WANT HIM TO DIE!
Ummmm I don't know my hermit crab welll I was playing with it then it when out of its shell then it curled up and doesnt move what do I do
My crab it is out of its shell and it really is not moving!it does't smell bad it smells like cleaning product and I have't put any near it !it also has not changed color !help!
My hermit crab seems to be white looking when it's usually a dark color. It doesn't smell and has plenty of food and water in it's habitat. It doesn't move at all and looks very fragile. I tried looking in the shell and I think I saw something moving in the back but I'm not sure. It could have been water. What do you guys think?
My hermetical isn't moving and he smells really bad, is he dead?
My hermit cab ets a leaf of cabbage and crab food and we gave them water
My hermit crab just molted and is a whiteish pink color. He moved earlier but just further back into his shell. He is dead!?!?!
My hermit crab is dead and he came out this shell hermit crab smell not good will dead but there is dead I guess my dad took hermit crab removing and my daddy get another hermit crab
get hermit crab later july 12 we go to mexico see you later
get hermit crab later july 12 we go to mexico see you later
Mine is doing the same thing but I'm not making final decisions right now ill wait a week