how do hermit mate?

[cmar]

one of my hermit crabs has been sitting in a cave for about 4 days, and another one joined it 2 days ago. they're just hangin out together, and the first one seems to be more on his/her back. yet, very alive. just wondered if something is wrong, or are they mating?

 

[jmeltzer]

they could be molting.
One of my scarlets just molted. It was in the same spot for about 2 days untill it was ready to move on.

 

[Max]

They may well be mating. After , the female reaches maturity she'll berry inside the snail shell. She releases hormonal cues into the water before she has the molt to attract a mate who will defend her until he has the chance to externally fertilize her eggs. She'll have several thousand of them and they will give your fish a good feed when they are laid. I would mark her shell and take a look inside after the other crab wonders off.
hth
Max

 

[cmar]

that's about exactly what it looks like! the one seems to be guarding the other! i'll keep watch...thanks