Hey guys! I haven't been on in awhile but this holiday break I had time to turn the substrate in my tank a bit. I suspected that I had some E deaths because I've only seen one for the past few months. Anyways I did find empty shells/some with crab remnants buried in the sand.
Basically I'm just trying to figure out what happened, whether it was avoidable or not, and what I can do better in the future. The E's are such great hyper crabs.
My tank is 90 gallons with 10-12 inches of substrate (playsand and eco earth) and a 2.5 gal saltwater pool and 2.5 gal freshwater. The temperature and humidity stay pretty stable with 80+ % humidity and 75-80 degrees. They have been under the care of my mom while I'm at school but I visit every other weekend or so and check the parameters. It seems like she feeds them well, and she knows to give them a variety with protein. There wasn't anything new added to the tank but the background is made with great stuff, eco earth, and aquarium safe silicone. There's also fake plants in the tank and lots of wood and moss. They shred everything even the plastic stuff.
I found the shells very deep, basically on top of the false bottom that I have in my aquarium. There was no flooding and I don't see any water in the false bottom so?? I'm just confused. My purple pinchers seem to be in great shape, all my E's are gone from what I can tell, and I only have 1 Viola left, the strongest/biggest one.
Anyone with exotic experience have any insight? Is it aggression? I'm not sure which crab(s) would have instigated it because above ground they seemed to get along although the E's kinda got in everyone's face..
E Molters Dead?
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KellyCrabbieLove
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Re: E Molters Dead?
From what I understand Es are notorious for bad molts. I've lost 1 to that (and possibly another).
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#1 rule of crabbing - crabs are weird.
#2 rule of crabbing - see above
#2 rule of crabbing - see above
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wodesorel
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Re: E Molters Dead?
Weird that the only loss you had was the Es and Violas. If it was a killer, they would have gone after all species equally. The only thing I can see that might effect the exotics is the temperature - most people who have success with Es keep it hot - 80-85. 75 is great for Purple Pinchers but exotics need more.
And exotics don't last very long in captivity even in the best of circumstances. I can't tell you how many old members I've seen come through the adoption program with just their PPs because all the exotics they bought two to three years ago had all died during molts. And these were people who had picture perfect set-ups. There are a few who have been extremely lucky (sugar, kuza) but the majority of people get only 2-4 years with exotics of any species.
And exotics don't last very long in captivity even in the best of circumstances. I can't tell you how many old members I've seen come through the adoption program with just their PPs because all the exotics they bought two to three years ago had all died during molts. And these were people who had picture perfect set-ups. There are a few who have been extremely lucky (sugar, kuza) but the majority of people get only 2-4 years with exotics of any species.
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Re: E Molters Dead?
Thanks for the replies guys!
Maybe it's the heat? The temps are around 78 degrees in the summer, so it was usually around 80 inside the tank, and because it hasn't been cold here yet it's stayed at 75 ambient in the tank. I have a hanging ceramic heater that I've used for this tank in the past but it's such a pain. It's very hot so I have to keep it far from the glass, it's ugly, and it gets in the way. I wanna consider getting an under the tank heater for the right hand side of the tank but I need to research to see how effective they are with 1/2 inch glass (my tank is apparently pretty old). The temps don't seem to bother the purple pinchers or my last viola because they are very active but I'd like to avoid losing anymore to bad molts.
Maybe it's the heat? The temps are around 78 degrees in the summer, so it was usually around 80 inside the tank, and because it hasn't been cold here yet it's stayed at 75 ambient in the tank. I have a hanging ceramic heater that I've used for this tank in the past but it's such a pain. It's very hot so I have to keep it far from the glass, it's ugly, and it gets in the way. I wanna consider getting an under the tank heater for the right hand side of the tank but I need to research to see how effective they are with 1/2 inch glass (my tank is apparently pretty old). The temps don't seem to bother the purple pinchers or my last viola because they are very active but I'd like to avoid losing anymore to bad molts.
Re: E Molters Dead?
After doing some research I'm going to continue with my ceramic heater. I worried about having it on while I'm out of town because I'm not sure how close of an eye my mom will be able to keep on it, but I think I solved that problem by buying a thermostat that will regulate the temperature.
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rainbow_crab
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Re: E Molters Dead?
My experience with Ecuadoreans is that the heat and humidity must be on point for them. I keep the tank with the Ecuadoreans around 82-87 The heat fluctuates a little. The humidity 80 plus. But even with finding out myself the difference with good temps and humidity I have still lost a couple to bad molts. I have also experienced deformities with es. Like twisted legs after molts, and one eye being smaller then the other.