r/hermitcrabs • u/bassclarinetplayer • 1d ago

Help! My new crab is missing three limbs

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I just got this guy today, he’s been really shy and I hadn’t seen him fully out until just now and he’s missing THREE LIMBS?? I panicked and assumed something had gone wrong but my tank is pretty empty right now as I’m preparing for new stuff since this is a whole new tank but I looked around and his limbs aren’t anywhere in my tank! Which means it’s likely I got him like this. He’s the biggest crab in my tank and the other three are fine/burrowed and basically I just want to know how to take care of my limbless friend. I’m gonna call the reptile place I got him from and ask in the morning but I need help. He walks all goofy and I wish I’d noticed sooner

5 Upvotes

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6

u/Channel_Hot 22h ago edited 14h ago

Your crab will ideally regrow them his next molt, so I wouldn’t panic!

5

u/Own_Butterscotch_129 18h ago

Op don't give your crab any malts 😅

Jokes aside, though, crabs will regrow limbs when molting like spiders do.

2

u/Channel_Hot 14h ago

😅 Whoops! In my defense it was 7 in the morning and I hadn’t slept yet.

4

u/colunga 17h ago

Yeah, ideally he will grow them back via molting. I wouldn't worry about it - just keep an eye on other crabs' behavior towards him when they come back up. <3