My crayfish has been acting weird

[Jugse]

My crayfish has been sitting in a corner the whole day, i don't think he's dead because i still see him grooming himself. Maybe he's molting? Idk

 

[justinwhitening]

My crayfish has been sitting in a corner the whole day, i don't think he's dead because i still see him grooming himself. Maybe he's molting? Idk

When I had my crayfish, it would sit in a specific rock every time it was ready to molt, and it wouldn't eat for days leading up to it. Have you noticed it eating any? Might want to test the water quality as well, just in case.

 

[Jugse]

When I had my crayfish, it would sit in a specific rock every time it was ready to molt, and it wouldn't eat for days leading up to it. Have you noticed it eating any? Might want to test the water quality as well, just in case.

I actually haven't seen him eating for weeks, but i still put a bit of food in just in case. I also tested the water (strips) and everything seems to be fine. Also,I've only seen him molt 1 time

 

[justinwhitening]

I actually haven't seen him eating for weeks, but i still put a bit of food in just in case. I also tested the water (strips) and everything seems to be fine. Also,I've only seen him molt 1 time

Ok, based on my experience with crayfish, I will say it is ready to molt. Your crayfish is small, and the smaller / younger the crayfish is, the more frequently it will molt. Do you remember how long ago the first molt was? Also, has the crayfish moved from the corner?

Also, just because you haven't seen him eat doesn't mean it isn't, but not eating for weeks, I haven't heard of that one. If the water is fine, I wouldn't worry about doing water changes unless it's time to do your weekly one.

 

[Jugse]

Last time he molted was november 19th. He's back to walking around normaly and eating. But sometimes he stands in weird positions in a very long time.

 

[justinwhitening]

Last time he molted was november 19th. He's back to walking around normaly and eating. But sometimes he stands in weird positions in a very long time.

Since it's been about a month since its molt, I think it is ready to molt. But since you said it is back to walking around and eating, it may have molted overnight. I remember a few times my crayfish would molt, and I wouldn't notice for days until I found the old molt being eaten on (yes, crayfish eat their old molt, so don't take it out if you see it).

 

[Jugse]

Since it's been about a month since its molt, I think it is ready to molt. But since you said it is back to walking around and eating, it may have molted overnight. I remember a few times my crayfish would molt, and I wouldn't notice for days until I found the old molt being eaten on (yes, crayfish eat their old molt, so don't take it out if you see it).

Now he's laying on his back, idk for how long but he doesn't move at all

 

[justinwhitening]

Now he's laying on his back, idk for how long but he doesn't move at all

Hmmm. Right now, I would just let it do its thing for now, and check on him again. My crayfish would sometimes be on its back during a molt, so hopefully, that is what is happening. They also do stay still for quite some time during a molt. Keep me updated.

 

[Jugse]

Hmmm. Right now, I would just let it do its thing for now, and check on him again. My crayfish would sometimes be on its back during a molt, so hopefully, that is what is happening. They also do stay still for quite some time during a molt. Keep me updated.

He's not laying in a "safe spot" its like right in the middle of the tank. Before, his tail was curled up, now it's straight. I'll check tomorrow morning and see

 

[justinwhitening]

He's not laying in a "safe spot" its like right in the middle of the tank. Before, his tail was curled up, now it's straight. I'll check tomorrow morning and see

Quick question, is nothing on your crayfish moving? Like not even its legs or little mouthparts?

 

[Jugse]

Quick question, is nothing on your crayfish moving? Like not even its legs or little mouthparts?

No moving the only thing that changed was his tail.
Late edit: I tried poking him, but he didn't react at all. I also tried smelling him, and he kinda smells like like my algae cleaner after i used it, so he kinda smells like algae?? Idk. Should i take him out?

 

[justinwhitening]

Hmmm, I am afraid to say that he might have passed. Molts usually don't take this long, they usually happen overnight through a span of hours. If you want to, you can leave him in for maybe another day or so just to make sure (I would do so). Sorry for your loss if he has passed on.

 

[Jugse]

Hmmm, I am afraid to say that he might have passed. Molts usually don't take this long, they usually happen overnight through a span of hours. If you want to, you can leave him in for maybe another day or so just to make sure (I would do so). Sorry for your loss if he has passed on.

Thank you

 

[Jugse]

Hmmm, I am afraid to say that he might have passed. Molts usually don't take this long, they usually happen overnight through a span of hours. If you want to, you can leave him in for maybe another day or so just to make sure (I would do so). Sorry for your loss if he has passed on.

Yeah he passed, i moved him to another container yesterday and this morning it smelled like rotten meat

 

[justinwhitening]

Yeah he passed, i moved him to another container yesterday and this morning it smelled like rotten meat

Sorry to hear this. You know why he passed?

 

[Jugse]

Sorry to hear this. You know why he passed?

No, but I'm pretty sure it was while he molted. A few hours before he passed i saw him digging holes in the gravel to hide in, and he was already showing signs of molting some days before it happened

 

[justinwhitening]

No, but I'm pretty sure it was while he molted. A few hours before he passed i saw him digging holes in the gravel to hide in, and he was already showing signs of molting some days before it happened

Understood. It is surprisingly pretty common for crayfish to, unfortunately, die during molting.