Emerald crab shed skin

Probably just wishful thinking on my part but if a crab, in this instance an Emerald Crab, sheds his skin could it be mistaken for the crab?

My Emerald Crab has been in my tank for 18 days and whilst he's never been overly active he has seemed fine. Now however he's just sitting on the sand, rather than clinging to the rock work like he normally is. I also can't see any part of him moving, so my suspicion is is he's no longer with us.

I know crabs shed their skin to allow them to grow, so could it be what I'm seeing is his old skin and he's actually ok? As I stated in my first paragraph it's probably just wishful thinking on my part, but one can always hope.

 

HI and welcome to Fishlore. Go in a poke around a little bit to find out ! Sorry to sound so unscientific but...

 

Yeah thanks I thought about that but as my tank temps been up and down didn't want stress my fish anymore by playing around in it! Having said that I bit the bullet and fished him out. Unless I'm going blind unfortunately it wasn't a molt. My first fatality since rejoining the hobby.

 

Hey sorry about that! Any idea why this happened?

* I'm curious about this temperature problem etc...

 

Temperature went up to 28 in the weather we've been having. Have added a temp controller and fans and have got it stabilised around 25.5. No visible signs on crab of anything wrong. Only 7 legs but I believe he was like that when I got him and until last night he was fine. Ammonia and nitrite is at 0, nitrate 15 - 20 and pH 8.2. Only thing that's changed since I first introduced is the nitrates have come down from 20 but I can't imagine that's the cause and I've added a Bicolor Angel which again I don't think would be it. Which just leaves the temperature changes or he didn't eat enough!

 

Everything sounds fine to me based on what I'm hearing. Guess maybe try another crab and, as always, do more research. Sometimes we just lose 'em when their new? Maybe someone with a better answer will come along but I'm familiar with basic stocking and set up. I WAS wondering if you ever saw him eating however?
*btw-those bicolor angels are great-I have one .

 

I saw him picking at my live rock and moving his pincers to his mouth, so he was eating as far as I know.

I agree the Bicolors are lovely fish

 

From when I had one many years ago and the research I had done before getting one they are quite hardy. Eating the bubble algae etc.. and some morsels of food, any morsels, I'd put in the tank for him so I don't see what could have happened based on what I know? Like-said, try another crab and see how he does keeping a close eye and making sure he's got enough to eat. I don't know much about your experience and tank but it's always good to re-examine acclimating new members to a Saltwater tank, (drip acclimation etc..) vrs. a Freshwater and keep us posted. When your allowed/get the chance it would be interesting to see a full profile on your set up-ttyl.