Color quite pale post-molt?

[Buggzter]

Hi everyone,

So far, my crabs have seemed to always molt into a similar color thus far. A few I think are DUE to molt now and seem to be giving signs of it (slowing down, storing food/water)...

My smallest just popped up after being under for about a month for his molt. He's just over an inch for leg-spread currently, and although I've had him about 6 months, this was his first molt with me. He had a decent medium purple color before on his larger claw and the medium red/orange on the rest of his body. Now... he's much paler than before. He's not as pale as Hope is (a recent purchase, she's REALLY outgoing, but part of her claw is WHITE and the rest is light purple! I'm guessing diet issues before her last molt, we'll see what happens)... but he's paler than he was for sure pre-molt.

What I do wrong? Just checking. What can I improve to protect them in the future?

Doc:


Hope for comparison:

[wodesorel]

He may end up darkening with time, or he may stay light. Color doesn't mean much with PPs, they are naturally a variety of shades from pale to dark, with younger crabs being lighter. He is average looking for his size.

[Buggzter]

Thank you Wodesorel. I knew from reading up that Stawberries go white without enough beta carotene, so I was worrying another diet issue was to blame here.

Still reading up on this to improve their diet overall at least. The new pack of coconut is happily received today, as are the blood worms. I only put in a small amount to start as a treat, but Chicken and Fish fought over the food bowl to get their shares! They normally get along well :roll: silly crabs!