First Crayfish Molt

Hello.

So, for starters, my crayfish molted for the first time the other day! It was pretty funny because a few hours later, he came out of hiding to grab his old shell. Then, he drug it around with him from hiding spot to hiding spot until he had the whole thing eaten. I tried to get pictures of this but couldn't because I left the lights off during this time to not stress him out.

I do have a question though. Before his molt, I noticed this white spot on his side. It's still there after his molt. It looks like this.



What is that? Could it be from an old shell fracture injury, and it's going to take a few molts to get rid of it? Should I do anything?

 

Are you referring to the chunk missing?
I would just make sure that it doesn't get bigger, and wait it out.

Do you supplement with any calcium sources?

 

Are you referring to the chunk missing?
I would just make sure that it doesn't get bigger, and wait it out.

Do you supplement with any calcium sources?

Yep, that would be it. I recently added cuttlebone to his filter, and planning on sticking a big piece in his substrate. Been trying to read up on the advantages of feeding him ghost shrimp for calcium and iodine boosts too. Also been thinking about using calcium carbonate powder from the reptile section.

I'm wondering how he lost such a big chunk though. All that's with him is feeder minnows, and there's nothing super tall to fall from.

 

Yep, that would be it. I recently added cuttlebone to his filter, and planning on sticking a big piece in his substrate. Been trying to read up on the advantages of feeding him ghost shrimp for calcium and iodine boosts too. Also been thinking about using calcium carbonate powder from the reptile section.

I'm wondering how he lost such a big chunk though. All that's with him is feeder minnows, and there's nothing super tall to fall from.

Could have been a molting issue, or he got rough on himself.

 

Could have been a molting issue, or he got rough on himself.

So maybe an old injury from the store? They had him in with some HUGE mollies. If that's the case, as he molts over time it should go away right?

 

So maybe an old injury from the store? They had him in with some HUGE mollies. If that's the case, as he molts over time it should go away right?

Yes, it should.