My Hermit crab has lost his balance, and keeps flipping over and then can't right himself. What should I do?

Question

It doesn't appear to be molting. It just doesn't appear to be able to walk straight or stay upright. I have had it for four months and it's tank mates are fine and acting normal.

Answer 1

bring him to a vet...and never get hermit crabs again

Answer 2

Hi!  

www.hermitcrabassociation.com is a good place for information!

The crab may be doing this if he recently changed shells.  The shell he chooses can affect his walk by weight and shape of the shell.  

Also have you checked to make sure that he has all his limbs?  Sometimes they will lose a limb (and regrow it during molt!) for various reasons.  This may affect his walk as well.

If neither situation appear to apply, it could just be him being "crabby" as the HCA will most likely say.  There are plenty of silly stories about their crabs on the site.  

Make sure he has other choices of shells to change into.  Maybe there's something wrong with the shell he has.