Crab Assassination

[teslawolfie]

So I’ve had three small crabs in a 22g long(with a second one I customized to sit on top for the crabs to climb higher) for several years(5-6) without issue. They have grown quite a bit over the years. I follow all the guidelines that are talked about here, proper humidity, temperature, substrate amount and type, etc. One of my crabs, Hermes, was being picked on(on going for about 6months before the assassination) by a different crab, Half Pint. Half pint was seeking out Hermes and shoving him, snapping his large claw at him until Hermes would run away or completely hide in his shell. I added even more shells, very similar to Hermes thinking this was the issue. Hermes seemed to go molt about 6-8 months ago. A day later I saw half pint coming from the area Hermes was tunneling. I was immediately worried but left him alone, didn’t want to stress him if he was molting. Maybe one month ago I finally go digging, I’ve had a bad feeling this whole time and sure enough I only find his hollowed out pincher claw nothing else. Half pint had assassinated Hermes. Well a week or so ago Buddy, my largest crab, went to molt and today while changing the food and water I find this clear stuff that’s in pieces that is the shape of a crab exoskeleton on the surface, it’s similar to very fine plastic. Did half pint strike again and drag that out from where buddy had molted? I’m extremely upset as I haven’t had problems before, half pint has always been a little bit of a bully to Hermes ever since he outgrew him. He’s never messed with buddy, who is the largest of the three. I’m worried they outgrew the tank and half pint could smell them too well and couldn’t resist. I’m not sure. I feel awful and want to know if buddy is dead and I should dig him up or he might be ok and just wait and see. This part of the exoskeleton on the surface has turned my stomach and I’m not sure what to do. Thanks.

[HermitGuy3]

If the claw was hollow, that means a molt. Your guy could still be under. (Maybe) if there was an exoskeleton on the surface, that would probably mean a surface molt. Were the pieces hollow? If they aren't then that means a dead crab. Please do not dig for crabs unless in an emergency. What type of shells do you have? You might need to upgrade tanks. What is their duet?

[curlysister]

I don't think your tank is over crowded or too small. And if you have deep enough sub, it is doubtful that a crab can smell another crab underground. And crabs often move around underground after going under, so a crab is very likely in a different area than when he first went down. I also don't think there was a surface molt, you would have noticed that.
When a crab passes away underground, you often won't smell anything, and the crab will decompose and pretty much disappear into the sub pretty quickly. So just because there was no 'body' does not mean that the crab was eaten.
All that said, there are some crabs that are not able to live with other crabs due to behavior and killing.

[teslawolfie]

So the original one who definitely died was Hermes. I found Hermes pincher claw and it was hollow, the rest of him had decomposed or eaten. Im feeling very positive half pint killed him right after the molt since his behavior had become more aggressive and he went into the tunnel soon after Hermes dug it. This stuff now I’m finding on the surface is definitely from buddy’s molt, it’s in the shape of his exoskeleton but it’s like cellophane. It’s very bizarre.
I have about 30-40 shells in the tank at all times, a lot of Mexican turbo shells, all three crabs have been very partial to them, that’s the type they are all wearing right now and have been for years. All the shells are properly sized to them with a few a little smaller and larger just to be safe.
Curly girl, I think I have to isolate him due to behavior, ever since he’s gotten to be as big as Hermes is when he got aggressive. He’s not as big as buddy so I think that’s why he didn’t bully him but perhaps has killed him after this molt. We will see.
But if anyone has any idea about this cellophane like material and how it got there I’d be very interested, he dug down a few days ago so I didn’t think he would come back up to surface molt.

[HermitGuy3]

Can you measure your crabs with the chart on the tank size care sheet? You said they have been growing so maybe try getting some petholatus turbos. How much animal protein is in their diet?

[curlysister]

Can you post a photo of the stuff you are talking about? You will need to use either a link to a photo sharing page, or the TapaTalk app.

[teslawolfie]

It’s a bit shriveled now being that it’s been a couple days but it’s perfectly the shape of the exoskeleton, missing a couple spots here and there of course
And yes they have plenty of animal protein, I have over 40 different types of food for them not including foraging. I have 15 types “complete meals” I use a different one each time along with oyster or crab exoskeleton crushed, another protein, and another one of the 30 some different single ingredient foods. I keep two types of foraging at all times, moss (approved types) and different types of leaf litter. Nothing goes into the enclosure before extensive research.


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[teslawolfie]

Also this odd material was originally completely see through, not yellowish like it is now being it’s a little older


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[HermitGuy3]

This does not look like an exoskeleton to me. An exo looks like a dead crab, not see through. (I'm pretty sure) I have no idea what this is. Did the claw look like this too from your other crab?

[teslawolfie]

No the claw was an actual molt so it was the hard empty shell. I just say this is part of the exoskeleton because it’s the shape of it and seems like it has to be a layer of it or something, I just have no idea what it actually is or why it’s there

[curlysister]

Huh, that is interesting. I mean, if it was the shape of exo, I agree it has to be a layer of it. I'll see if any of the other admins have an idea.

[teslawolfie]

I appreciate it

[teslawolfie]

Just thought I’d say that Buddy has finished his molt successfully and was not murdered! I still have no idea whatsoever what part of the exoskeleton was on the surface or why or how it got there, I suppose it will always be a mystery. Anyways he came up healthy and colorful, a beautiful deep burgundy with dark orange legs(if I was better at taking pictures I would share)!! Thanks for trying to find answers for me I appreciate it

P.S. I misspoke in my earlier post, they are all wearing petholatus turbos not Mexican turbos, my bad.

[curlysister]

Oh yay! That's great news! Thanks for the update!