dead crab with alive one

[lydia15]

first off, sorry if this does not meet "emergency" requirements. i didn't know where else to post this.
unfortunately I lost one of my new crabs:( he buried himself when i got him and i hadn't noticed any kind of new movement or anything at all from him, so i dug until i found him and he smells fishy and is not moving so sadly i think he has passed on <3
is it bad to leave him in the tank with my other crab until i get a new one? my past two crabs died basically together and idk if one dying first caused the other to die. if i need to move him i absolultey can, i just want to check before doing so.

[Alaina]

I personally wouldn't keep a dead crab. I'm sure others would like more info like your tank conditions..type of substrate, temp, humidity water etc..there is questioner you can fill out with the info. That way you can find out if there may be a reason for the death. I'd Def want to get to the bottom of why the death, if possible. I would take the crab and the surrounding sand and throw it out but thats me.

[curlysister]

The phenomenon of crabs dying soon after we get them is termed 'post purchase syndrome'. Crabs are susceptible to this until after at least their first molt. Even tho we may have perfect conditions, they often just don't have enough energy left, from living in sub-optimal conditions prior to us getting them.

[Motörcrab]

I will suggest filling out an emergency form as well to help us determine a C.O.D. If the crab was recently purchased it probably died from Post Purchase Stress Disorder. Most crabs are in bad shape from mistreatment until they reach their new home from the wild. You can do everything correct and still have deaths.

I would remove the crab from the tank to be safe. There is a possibility it could have some parasite or sickness that could spread to healthy crabs. The crabs could drag the carcass off to eat it or possibly drag it underground where it could decompose and cause a bacterial bloom. These are all worst case scenarios, but could happen.

Here is the care sheet on PPS and some signs.
https://hermitcrabassociation.com/phpBB ... 27&t=92531

[crabocado]

Based on the fact that you had two previous crabs die about the same time, and then this latest death, I am thinking your crabitat probably needs big improvements. Most important is a moist, warm environment with plenty of (deep, moist, diggable) substrate. A lid that keeps moisture in is important. See the "care sheets" listed on the main forum page. You should focus on improving conditions for your surviving crab ASAP! My best guess is that the presence of the dead crab is not itself a threat to the living crab. In fact, it might provide a meal since they are scavengers and will sometimes eat each other (e.g. when vulnerable after a molt). But I would remove that dead crab, because the rot will cause poorer conditions and theoretically, it could spread disease.
The other important thing I would mention is that you should be sure you can tell the difference between a molted crab, an exoskeleton shed during molting, and a dead crab; all discussed on the care sheets. But based on the fishy smell (and assuming you're seeing the whole crab and it isn't "hollow"), that seems clear enough I suppose. And if your surviving crab digs down to molt, be sure to leave it alone. If it attempts a molt on the surface, make sure you consult the care sheets and/or ask for further help here, because it will need extra care. Others with more expertise can add more detail!

[curlysister]

Based on the fact that you had two previous crabs die about the same time, and then this latest death, I am thinking your crabitat probably needs big improvements. Most important is a moist, warm environment with plenty of (deep, moist, diggable) substrate. A lid that keeps moisture in is important. See the "care sheets" listed on the main forum page. You should focus on improving conditions for your surviving crab ASAP! My best guess is that the presence of the dead crab is not itself a threat to the living crab. In fact, it might provide a meal since they are scavengers and will sometimes eat each other (e.g. when vulnerable after a molt). But I would remove that dead crab, because the rot will cause poorer conditions and theoretically, it could spread disease.
The other important thing I would mention is that you should be sure you can tell the difference between a molted crab, an exoskeleton shed during molting, and a dead crab; all discussed on the care sheets. But based on the fishy smell (and assuming you're seeing the whole crab and it isn't "hollow"), that seems clear enough I suppose. And if your surviving crab digs down to molt, be sure to leave it alone. If it attempts a molt on the surface, make sure you consult the care sheets and/or ask for further help here, because it will need extra care. Others with more expertise can add more detail!

OP posted on July 16 that they had gotten their crabs 3 days before. While there may be things that could be improved in the tank conditions, it is not fair to assume that the OP contributed to the death because of their tank. Crabs go through so much before we get them, that even with perfect conditions, many succumb to PPS.

[lydia15]

I changed my crabitat when my other ones died. this crabitat is different from the ones my first two were in.

[crabocado]

Oh, I am sorry about that! Yes of course, it sounds like the prior conditions were the cause then.

BTW, searching for "3" or "three" turns up nothing on this page, but I still could have missed it of course.

(Another side note, I believe this was the thread that had a duplicate version at some point, and I answered the version of the thread that had fewer posts, and then saw that my post had been put with the thread that had more posts. Anyhow, just a confusing situation.)

Keep us posted on the survivor, hope it works out for him/her!