Tropical Fish and Aquarium Information

Go Back   Fish Lore Tropical Fish and Aquarium Forum > Saltwater Aquarium Fish and Reef Tank Forum > Saltwater Fish and Invertebrates > Saltwater Invertebrates > Saltwater Crabs

Saltwater Crabs Forum - Profile: Hermit Crab

 

Online Fish Stores: Drsfostersmith.com | BigAlsOnline.com | LiveAquaria.com


Aquarium Forum
General
Welcome To FishLore
Using the Forum
General Discussion
Members Fish Tanks
Photos and Videos
Member Photos
Member Videos
Freshwater Aquarium Forum
Freshwater Beginners
Freshwater Equipment
More Freshwater Topics
Freshwater Fish & Inverts
Ponds
Saltwater Aquarium Forum
Saltwater Beginners
Saltwater Equipment
More Saltwater Topics
Saltwater Fish & Inverts
Member Blogs
Member Blogs
Misc. Topics
Reviews
Aquarium Fish Clubs
Buy, Sell, Trade
Fish Profiles
Freshwater Fish
Saltwater Fish
Fish Forum Archives
Reply
 
Fish Forum Thread Tools
Old July 25th, 2008  
Fish Bum
 
Dead Or Molted?

I have a couple of Emeralds in my tank. I have been scared since I got them that there was not enough in the tank for them to eat(scavenge).

The past couple of days one of them has been hiding under a big shell I have in my tank. I saw him as recently as last night holding onto the side of the shell.

This morning, I saw him upside down by the shell. So, I was doing some reading a bit ago and thought he might not be dead. I am at work now, but when I get home to fish the thing out of my tank, how can I tell if its just a shell? Seems like a stupid question I know. Will I see meat and eyes or what?
bdunn13 is offline  
Old July 25th, 2008  
Fish Keeper
 
The molt won't be as dense or filled out as the actual crab. Basically meat and the insides, don't want to see that. The molt is just of the outer portions so the insides should be bare, while the outside looks like a crab.
Slug is online now  
Old July 25th, 2008  
Fish Helper
 
when a crab molts you see the sheded skin the crab will look fine and a bit bigger. the molted part is just a skin sort of thing it should be empty. hope i helped
Redtail_Shark14 is offline  
Old July 25th, 2008  
Fish Mentor
 
It sounds like he is looking for a bigger shell to move into......Do you have empty shells in the tank? They grow and need more room....I recently had this happen with my crabs....Some of them switched shells and it is weird to see the different feet coming out of the shell lol
Martinismommy is offline  
Old July 25th, 2008  
Fish Bum
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Martinismommy View Post
It sounds like he is looking for a bigger shell to move into......Do you have empty shells in the tank? They grow and need more room....I recently had this happen with my crabs....Some of them switched shells and it is weird to see the different feet coming out of the shell lol
This is an emerald crab, they make their own shells right?
bdunn13 is offline  
Old July 25th, 2008  
Fish Keeper
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by bdunn13 View Post
This is an emerald crab, they make their own shells right?
Yes. Only hermits move houses.
Slug is online now  
Old July 25th, 2008  
Fish Keeper
 
Ya...emeralds just make their own shells. Though they do hide for a few days after molting.

Emerald crabs are actually quite hardy. It takes quite a lot to kill one of those guys.
Oil_Fan is offline  
Old July 25th, 2008  
Fish Bum
 
I took a water sample to the LFS and they tested it for me. I don't have all of the numbers, but they said everything is fine.

and BTW - he was not molting I took a knife, cut him and half and it was awfully meaty.

The only thing I can think of is the tank might have gotten a little too warm.
bdunn13 is offline  
Old July 25th, 2008  
Fish Keeper
 
Sorry to hear that.

The moment you take a shell out, you'd realize that it's only a molt if that's what it was. It real obvious.

So then the next question is what was it that killed him. They are sensitive to copper...have you used any meds in your main tank?
Oil_Fan is offline  
Old July 25th, 2008  
Fish Keeper
 
Ah thats to bad.

Yeah the molt is really light and flexable you'll know it when you have it.
Slug is online now  
Old July 26th, 2008  
Fish Bum
 
No meds, no copper. I would have to guess lack of food or temp.

I have a 2nd emerald crab thats doing fine. He DID molt as I can see his shell and I saw him hiding near it. At least he is doing good.

I am going to wait a little longer before I get any more crabs but I can say so far, they are my favorite. They are so cool looking.
bdunn13 is offline  
Reply

Fish Forum Thread Tools

Fun Fish and Aquarium Games!
Fish Tycoon
Fish Tycoon
Insaniquarium - Insane Aquarium
Insaniquarium
Insane Aquarium
Jenny's Fish Shop
Jenny's
Fish Shop

Similar Aquarium Fish Forum Threads
Thread Fish Forum
Well, There Almost All Dead!!!! Freshwater Fish Disease Archive
Coral Banded Shrimp Molted Skimmer went nuts! Shrimps and Crabs
my emerald molted!! Saltwater Crabs
cleaner shrimp molted Shrimp - Cleaners and other
Hammers Colbalt Blue Lobster molted Blue Lobster



Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.7.1
Copyright ©2000 - 2008, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
LinkBacks Enabled by vBSEO 3.2.0 RC5 © 2008, Crawlability, Inc.
© 2008 FishLore.com - Aquarium Fish Information