It can be difficult to tell if a hermit crab is dead or just surface molting because molting crabs become extremely still and vulnerable. Before assuming the worst, check for these signs:
Signs of a Molting Crab:
No bad smell – Molting crabs do not smell rotten.
Slight twitching or movement – Sometimes visible in legs or antennae.
Pale or jelly-like appearance – Their exoskeleton may look soft.
Loose limbs or clouded eyes – Normal signs of pre-molt.
Buried or partially covered in substrate – Crabs prefer to molt underground, but if they molt on the surface, they may still look limp.
Signs a Hermit Crab is Dead:
Strong fishy or rotten odor – The biggest sign of death.
No response after 48+ hours – Even a molting crab should show some movement over time.
Completely limp body, falling out of shell – A molting crab stays snug inside its shell.
Mold or insects on the body – A sign of decomposition.
Exoskeleton is intact – A molting crab will shed its exoskeleton, while a dead crab will not.
Smell Test: If there is no bad odor, give it more time.
Isolation: Place the crab in a small, humid container away from other crabs and observe for at least 48 hours.
Gentle Touch Test: Use tweezers to very gently tap a leg or antenna—molting crabs may twitch slightly.
Shell Check: If the crab has fallen out of its shell and does not re-enter it within 24 hours, it is likely deceased.
When in Doubt – Wait! If you’re unsure, always wait a few more days before removing the crab. Many people have mistaken molting crabs for dead ones and accidentally thrown away a living crab!