Hermit Molting Video

[ox5477]

One of my large blue-legged hermits has decided to drop off his shell for some reason. It is plenty big for him and incase it wasn't big enough in his opinion, I put two bigger shells in but he is continuing to run around the tank with out a shell on. What is he doing??? anyone know Is something wrong???

 

[Maximus]

Hmm, I dont think It'll have anything to do with marine hermits, but when
I was researching into getting some land hermits, alot of websites say that
they do that from time to time, and it's nothing to worry about

BUT don't take that as law, I'm no doubt wrong.


Maximus

EDIT: They all called it "streaking" lol

 

[kkyyllee]

they do that sometimes, he might be getting ready to molt

 

[ox5477]

Yes, I paniced too quickly all, sorry. He was just molting, apparently he couldn't get the exoskeleton to start to come off in his shell. He seems to be fine now. I have just never actually seen one of the hermits do this!! As I keep saying, the marine world is so alien, it's fascinating!!! Here are a couple picks and a video of him crawling back to his shell. Its kind of weird to see him without a shell:

He came back out and is still molting so I'm sure he'll be fine.

On an additional note, from the side view of the tank, I found two peanut worms in the back of my LR that I hadn't seen before!

 

[Maximus]

Haha, don't be sorry, I'd of panicked too

Good to see he's ok, and finished streaking



Maximus

 

[AK77]

I had the same thing the other week. Id noticed a few "dead" crabs over the weeks and was getting a bit concerned. Then I realised they were just molting lol.

 

[ox5477]

I had the same thing the other week. Id noticed a few "dead" crabs over the weeks and was getting a bit concerned. Then I realised they were just molting lol.

Well I know they molt just I had never seen one of the little guys do it. Suprised me to see him outta his shell!!!!

 

[Danno]

That's a great video! Thanks for sharing

 

[Fighterfish]

Thanks guys. I kept finding little hermit crabs 'dead' in my tank. However, their numbers are all still the same i was pretty freaked out. So htey molt...
MMMM..............

 

[bambam]

i think anyone has experience that before, who would of known that a hermit sheds its skin, and there molt looks just like a dead hermit... oh well love the video