Is my crab dead?

Question
QUESTION: Hi Lola,

My crab molted on the surface about 2-3 weeks ago. His original color is light brown. However, recently he turned really really black. Before he turned black I could still see his claws moving abit but now he is not moving at all. I'm wondering is it normal for them to turn really black after molting?

I'm currently overseas and my friend is taking care of my crabs. She said she can't really smell for the stinky smell. She send me a photo of my crab and it looks like my crab is rot but I'm not sure. What should I do to check whether it is dead or not apart from the smell? Is there a way I could send you the photo of my crab so you can have a look at it?

Thanks

ANSWER: I have seen PP's who's entire bodies were a deep grape purple but not black. You can show me a picture by uploading it to something like flickr or photobucket and posting the URL back to me in a followup.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi,

This is the URL for the photo of my hermit crab.

http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee69/bunjsmp/HermitCrabs017.jpg

As you can see his previous skin is outside the light brown in color.

Do you think he is dead?
Thanks

Answer
While it's hard to tell for sure you've got either a Rugosus or an Ecudorian and both can have dramatic color changes after a molt that can range from very dark, green, blue, white, and tan. Your crab has molted but what is bothering me is the fact that he hasn't moved in so long. Sometimes they die after a molt. How long has it been since he molted? Has she seen any movement at all?