Missing limbs- possibly a surface molt! :(
Posted: Fri Oct 20, 2023 7:55 pm
Since you've come to the emergency forum, we know you want a fast answer to your question. In order for us to figure out the problem as quickly as possible, we ask that you answer the following questions as best you can. Some of them may seem odd, but they're all designed to give us the information we need to give you a good solution for your problem. The things in the [ brackets ] are there to make this post easier to read once submitted. Thanks!
1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it?
Eco earth and play sand, 6-7 inches.
2. Do you have gauges in the tank to measure temperature and humidity? If so, where are they located and what temperature and humidity do they usually read?
Yes, in the middle front. Usually read 75% humidity and 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?
Yes, a heat mat on the back of the tank.
4. What types of water are available (fresh or salt) and how is the water treated (what brands of dechlorinator or salt mix and what ratio is used to mix it)?
Fresh and salt water in two good sized Tupperware's with a bridge going into each. I use prime and put 2 drops in a gallon of water and then fill them up from there.
5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?
I feed them a lot of hermit grub mixes, veggies, fruits, dried bugs, dried shrimp, etc.
6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known?
I have had this crab for probably almost two years. She is a purple pincher.
7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen?
She molted about a month ago. Maybe this situation has something to do with that? But she looked fine and happy when she came up?
8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing?
They are in a 29 gallon glass aquarium tank. The lid is glass with a small crack near the front to keep the humidity and temp in control.
9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?
3 pp's, one golf ball sized, the one with the problem (Mango) is slightly smaller, and then the other is even smaller.
10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any?
Probably 15.
11. Have there been any fumes or chemicals near the crabitat recently?
No.
12. How often do you clean the tank and how?
I clean the walls with water and apple cider vinegar about once a year for deep cleaning, but sometimes I scoop the top layer of substrate up to clean up poop every so often. I try to replace food and water every other day- though sometimes I wait until the water looks dirty.
13. Are sponges used in the water dish? If so, how are they cleaned?
No.
14. Has anything new been added to your crabitat recently?
No.
15. Is there any other information you would like to share that might be helpful (anything that is regularly part of your crab care, playtime, bathing, etc.)?
I haven't been watching as much as used to this past month, but I only noticed her in the corner today, and wanted to look closer and then I saw what had happened.
16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.
I saw Mango in the front right corner of my tank, which is strange because it is kind of out in the open except for the salt water dish hiding it slightly. She is kind of wedged between the wall and the Tupperware. I looked all around and saw that she had enough space so she is not stuck. She is all the way in her shell and missing what looks to be four tan-ish colored legs. Under her shell behind her looks almost like a part of her torso which made me realize she is probably molting. I know she is alive because it doesn't smell and she is balancing upright with her legs tightly in her shell. I have considered myself to be a pretty good crab parent, but now I don't know what to do and I'm afraid I'm going to lose her too soon! Please help urgently, I am desperate!
1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it?
Eco earth and play sand, 6-7 inches.
2. Do you have gauges in the tank to measure temperature and humidity? If so, where are they located and what temperature and humidity do they usually read?
Yes, in the middle front. Usually read 75% humidity and 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?
Yes, a heat mat on the back of the tank.
4. What types of water are available (fresh or salt) and how is the water treated (what brands of dechlorinator or salt mix and what ratio is used to mix it)?
Fresh and salt water in two good sized Tupperware's with a bridge going into each. I use prime and put 2 drops in a gallon of water and then fill them up from there.
5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?
I feed them a lot of hermit grub mixes, veggies, fruits, dried bugs, dried shrimp, etc.
6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known?
I have had this crab for probably almost two years. She is a purple pincher.
7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen?
She molted about a month ago. Maybe this situation has something to do with that? But she looked fine and happy when she came up?
8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing?
They are in a 29 gallon glass aquarium tank. The lid is glass with a small crack near the front to keep the humidity and temp in control.
9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?
3 pp's, one golf ball sized, the one with the problem (Mango) is slightly smaller, and then the other is even smaller.
10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any?
Probably 15.
11. Have there been any fumes or chemicals near the crabitat recently?
No.
12. How often do you clean the tank and how?
I clean the walls with water and apple cider vinegar about once a year for deep cleaning, but sometimes I scoop the top layer of substrate up to clean up poop every so often. I try to replace food and water every other day- though sometimes I wait until the water looks dirty.
13. Are sponges used in the water dish? If so, how are they cleaned?
No.
14. Has anything new been added to your crabitat recently?
No.
15. Is there any other information you would like to share that might be helpful (anything that is regularly part of your crab care, playtime, bathing, etc.)?
I haven't been watching as much as used to this past month, but I only noticed her in the corner today, and wanted to look closer and then I saw what had happened.
16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.
I saw Mango in the front right corner of my tank, which is strange because it is kind of out in the open except for the salt water dish hiding it slightly. She is kind of wedged between the wall and the Tupperware. I looked all around and saw that she had enough space so she is not stuck. She is all the way in her shell and missing what looks to be four tan-ish colored legs. Under her shell behind her looks almost like a part of her torso which made me realize she is probably molting. I know she is alive because it doesn't smell and she is balancing upright with her legs tightly in her shell. I have considered myself to be a pretty good crab parent, but now I don't know what to do and I'm afraid I'm going to lose her too soon! Please help urgently, I am desperate!