When my apple-sized Caribbean Hermit was molting, I didn't even notice it. However, after days of hiding (he usually will hide to consume his meals) I woke up in the morning, and he was in the front corner of the tank, apparently burying something. I noticed that his antennae were longer, and the coralline algae growing on him was now gone. He looked sparkling clean. In the substrate near him, I spotted a piece of red gravel. I moved the crab, then pulled on the red piece in the sand, and out came an amazingly complete skin that I still have.
The point is, that Hermit Crabs may hide for days while molting (their skin is soft during this time) then emerge a refreshed crab.
-Lynden
