What is this in my crab tank

Nephi911 · Post by **Nephi911** » Tue Dec 09, 2014 2:37 am

While looking for one of our smallest crabs I started to notice these little pods, they are reddish in color. I think they are fly pods because since we got these crabs we have had a huge fly problem.

We are using a coconut based soil for bedding it's what petco told us to use. Along with these green pellets that they really don't seem to be eating.

I want these crabs to be healthy and happy so any advice is great thanks.

YYWW · Post by **YYWW** » Tue Dec 09, 2014 2:48 am

My first piece of advice is throw the pellets out. Manufactured food just don't sit well with me. Aside from that they often contain bad ingredients that are toxic to crabs, so its best to do without them.
Here's a link to crab nutrition. viewtopic.php?t=92554
Here's a link to fun with foods

viewtopic.php?t=73924
If they're fly pods you should just be able to scoop em out and trash em. I'd put on a rubber glove, scoop em into doubled grocery bags, and toss it in the trash can outside to keep flies out of my house. Spot cleaning should be enough as flies don't burrow. Taking off an extra inch from the substrate surface wouldn't hurt, just do so gently, so as not to disturb anybody.
If flies are frequenting your tat leaving a flytrap nearby might help. You just need to be sure what type of fly, to decide what type of trap.

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Nephi911 · Post by **Nephi911** » Tue Dec 09, 2014 3:10 am

They seem to be just normal house flys. I notice when I pull a pod on a piece of paper the house flys came to check it out which is what made me think this.

I have noticed a little fungus here and there but I clean it out when I see it.

I'll take that extra inch off and check out the good ideas, thanks for the help

Post by **wodesorel** » Tue Dec 09, 2014 8:19 am

Fly chrysalis are hard ovals that are stuck to objects and often can't be removed without crushing them. Is it possible what you're finding is crab poop?

Also, the HCA caresheet is locate here. It's basic, but it touches on the most important things they need.

http://hermitcrabassociation.com/phpBB/ ... 51&t=92457

Nephi911 · Post by **Nephi911** » Tue Dec 09, 2014 1:21 pm

No the pod is see through and not solid.

YYWW · Post by **YYWW** » Wed Dec 10, 2014 1:52 am

I'm reluctantly suggesting you post a picture, but i wont look at it because i'm wimpy with bug eggs

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Nephi911 · Post by **Nephi911** » Wed Dec 10, 2014 2:52 am

Yea I tried but all I have is my iPhone and this website won't let me pull photos from my iPhone to upload here

YYWW · Post by **YYWW** » Wed Dec 10, 2014 12:53 pm

Well thats good for me

i guess pull em out and try to hatch them

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aldebaron0626 · Post by **aldebaron0626** » Wed Dec 10, 2014 6:32 pm

Nephi911 are you using Tapatalk app or working from website. I find that I couldn't post pictures on website but can through Tapatalk even on my iPhone. Also make sure you have latest version of Tapatalk.

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Nephi911 · Post by **Nephi911** » Sun Dec 14, 2014 1:17 am

Website I'll try the talk app now though

Nephi911 · Post by **Nephi911** » Sun Dec 14, 2014 1:58 am

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Nephi911 · Post by **Nephi911** » Sun Dec 14, 2014 1:58 am

It's see through when you shine a light on it and it has a reddish tent to it

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YYWW · Post by **YYWW** » Sun Dec 14, 2014 2:17 am

That thing seems huge! What is the pearl looking thing next to it?
If its a bug egg it should be way more developed by now, right? Unless its some kinda hibernation pod, but then you should see a critter inside.
So weird!

Crabbers unite!!!

Nephi911 · Post by **Nephi911** » Sun Dec 14, 2014 2:29 am

It already hatched, the pearl is a piece of sand

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YYWW · Post by **YYWW** » Sun Dec 14, 2014 11:47 am

Ugh gross!! So it really was a fly?

Crabbers unite!!!

HCA: Hermit Crab Association