Up from Molt

[Clelad]

New to the group a few wks ago. Thanks for advise to leave buried crabs alone. After two months of all three new crabs being underground, a little piece of chicken was gone Monday morning! My family thought I was feeding, watering and decorating an empty aquarium. Two of three crabs changed out of painted shells a few days after my son brought them home from a county fair here in S. W. Florida. The third one buried in his painted shell, and we thought he died. Not the case!! I heard the scratch of shell on glass last night at 11pm and I was shocked to see a painted shell hanging near ceiling,then climbing all over aquarium, even drinking in his water dish! Brightly colored and very,very hairy legs. First time I ever had a good, long look at him. Very cool! Then he went for the shells and in about 10 mins he switched to a green one! Quite wonderful to see all this in one sitting!! Hopefully the other two will crawl up and I'll have pets! Now they will all look exactly the same, in their green natural shells! Their names are Shelly, Sheldon, and Mr. Crabs. I put in a moss pit on upper level, can't wait to see if he climbs up the cholla wood to it tonight. Thanks again for all your valuable info and support. Definitely worth the wait! I hope to see them tonight! God Bless. Cleland

[GotButterflies]

Congratulations on the successful molt!

[Hermias_mom]

New to the group a few wks ago. Thanks for advise to leave buried crabs alone. After two months of all three new crabs being underground, a little piece of chicken was gone Monday morning! My family thought I was feeding, watering and decorating an empty aquarium. Two of three crabs changed out of painted shells a few days after my son brought them home from a county fair here in S. W. Florida. The third one buried in his painted shell, and we thought he died. Not the case!! I heard the scratch of shell on glass last night at 11pm and I was shocked to see a painted shell hanging near ceiling,then climbing all over aquarium, even drinking in his water dish! Brightly colored and very,very hairy legs. First time I ever had a good, long look at him. Very cool! Then he went for the shells and in about 10 mins he switched to a green one! Quite wonderful to see all this in one sitting!! Hopefully the other two will crawl up and I'll have pets! Now they will all look exactly the same, in their green natural shells! Their names are Shelly, Sheldon, and Mr. Crabs. I put in a moss pit on upper level, can't wait to see if he climbs up the cholla wood to it tonight. Thanks again for all your valuable info and support. Definitely worth the wait! I hope to see them tonight! God Bless. Cleland

Congratulations!!! Isn't it great when they come up and are active and healthy! That feeling is just the best!

You might check and see if your recently molted crab has eyelashes (bristles at the base of his/her eyestalks). That's my new favorite thing to do

If you take a close look at their body (abdomen/carapace) markings, you might be able to tell them apart even if their shells are very similar. Mine have different markings on their abdomens which have stayed pretty similar through at least one molt, although their leg colors have changed and they've regrown limbs and antennae.

Have fun!!!

[Clelad]

Ha, yes i did look for the eye lashes straight off, but didnt see any. Thxs for your comments. Sheldon contines to come out most every night around 11pm. No sign of the other two yet, theyre still under I believe. 2 1/2 months! Take care!

[aussieJJDude]

Glad you had a a successful moult! Feel free to include pics.

[Clelad]

Yay!! One of three came up 1 1/2 weeks ago. Last night #2 came up about 1am. He was very sneaky and hid behind a rock formation. I saw his anentena really going to town, but that's all. He's in a green turbo shell like the other, but may be slightly smaller. I think he was watching the other crab climbing across the glass ceiling. It's such a loud scratching sound to hear. I stayed awake for an hour, but he was still in hiding. Their names are Sheldon, Shelly and Mr. Crabs is still below. It's a week shy of 3 months, so glad I didn't dig them up. Thx for all the wonderful advise!

[Hermias_mom]

Congratulations!!! Isn't it great when they come up healthy? I had my last of three crabs come up on Sunday - she is my favorite - I'm so glad they all survived! Onwards towards the tank upgrade!!