Dead or Surface Molt?

[piratetoothgir]

1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it?

It's EE + Play Sand, and it's 8 inches deep.

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, usually 76 on cooler side, and 83 on the warmer side.

3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?

Ultratherm UTH

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)?

Salt, and fresh. I use Instant Ocean, and mix about a tablespoon into 40 oz of water.

5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?

Fresh veggies, a homemade dry food from berries, and nuts, eggs, chicken. I replace meats daily, and the veggies usually mold within 3 days.

6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known?

Since November 23, he's supposedly a PP.

7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen?

January 13th.

8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing?

It's an acrylic tank, and it's 26 gallons. Secure lid which contains the light.

9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?

2, and they have inch openings on their shells.

10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any?

Usually 6 per crab, but I am low.

11. Have there been any fumes or chemicals near the crabitat recently?

No.

12. How often do you clean the tank and how?

Every few weeks, and I move the decor around, and turn over the substrate. I never do it if they are down.

13. Are sponges used in the water dish? If so, how are they cleaned?

Nope.

14. Has anything new been added to your crabitat recently?

No, just feeding them a orange bell pepper, that's new.

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 usually do not handle this crab, but I sometimes play with my other one, and just let her crawl on my arm.

16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.

He's acting limp, and flattening himself on the sand, not moving. I just turned over the driftwood, and saw him like this.
Is he really dead?

[GotButterflies]

Sorry you are going through this. If he is acting limp/flatting himself, it sounds as though he may be dead. I'm sorry. Perhaps you could iso him to be sure.

[GotButterflies]

I replied with GB for GotButterflies

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, usually 76 on cooler side, and 83 on the warmer side.

GB: I personally do not like my tanks to get below 79 - but this is me.

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)?

Salt, and fresh. I use Instant Ocean, and mix about a tablespoon into 40 oz of water.

GB: Do you use a dechlorinator? This is extremely important? You need a dechlorinator that removes chlorine, chloramine, and then neutralizes ammonia and heavy metals. Your saltwater ratio is incorrect. Mixes for instant ocean are as follows:
Instant Ocean package indicates to use 1/2 cup (which=8 TBSP) per gallon.
1 1/2 tsp per 8 oz (1 cup) water
1 TBSP per 16 oz (1 pint)
2 TBSP per 32 oz (1 quart)
4 TBSP per 64 oz (1/2 gallon)
8 TBSP per 128 oz (1 gallon)

5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?

Fresh veggies, a homemade dry food from berries, and nuts, eggs, chicken. I replace meats daily, and the veggies usually mold within 3 days.

GB: I really think you should offer more of a variety. Do you offer calcium? very important! Also, try to offer organic when possible -


Every few weeks, and I move the decor around, and turn over the substrate. I never do it if they are down.

GB: I would not churn the substrate this often - let it settle. Churn it once every 6 months if you want - or once ever 12 months.

[piratetoothgir]

Hi! Thank you so much for replying quickly.
I do offer calcium, and just got a shipment of cuttlebone I will be laying in the tat. I am getting my new crab tomorrow, so I’ll get a bunch of cuttlebone in the tank.

I really will mix more evenly, and properly. Thanks for telling me!
The only very very bad thing I must mention, is...

My other crab, Stella has stolen his shell straight off his back, so he’s shell-less and I put a terra cotta pot on his area, so that he’d be dark, and safe.

Stella changed 4 times from the two shells in the hours that this happened.
What do I do?

[Kermie16]

Oh wow:( So sorry he isn’t doing well! I’ve only been crabbing about 1.5 years now. Although I cannot tell you specifically how to do this. But because Stella has his shell, I would find another appropriately sized shell for him, dip it in the fresh water and gently re-shell him first. Once re-shelled, he needs to go into an ISO tank. I would include a good hideout for him and some fresh water and eggshell, fresh protein, organic raw honey and organic peanut butter. Good luck! I hope he pulls through!


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[Hermiearth]

Yes please re she’ll asap


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[piratetoothgir]

Yes please re she’ll asap


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I went to bed, and I did not respell overnight. I didn’t know what to do!

Yep, definitely going to ISO. I don’t have a tank for that, but I have containers which I CAN maintain. I want to keep the new crab away, and keep Rocky safe.

Stella tried to dig under the pot, so I pushed it deep under the sand, and it’s stuck in there. Hopefully she left it alone. I cannot look until the lights come on.

[GotButterflies]

Crabs cannot live without a shell - so definitely please re-shell asap. hasn't Stella stollen shells before? Do you have appropriate shells for her?

Shell guide: viewtopic.php?f=24&t=92552

[piratetoothgir]

I’m very disappointed to say that he died overnight.
There’s nothing we can do now, thanks for your immediate help care.

I’ll visit the pet store today, pick up a big dude, and straighter everything up. Stella has never stolen a shell off of a crab, she’s stolen shells that were once occupied by.

[GotButterflies]

I’m very disappointed to say that he died overnight.
There’s nothing we can do now, thanks for your immediate help care.

I’ll visit the pet store today, pick up a big dude, and straighter everything up. Stella has never stolen a shell off of a crab, she’s stolen shells that were once occupied by.

Okay, sorry, I must have been thinking about someone else! I'm really sorry for your loss!

Don't forget to dip the new crab into the fw of the crabitat.

[piratetoothgir]

I’m very disappointed to say that he died overnight.
There’s nothing we can do now, thanks for your immediate help care.

I’ll visit the pet store today, pick up a big dude, and straighter everything up. Stella has never stolen a shell off of a crab, she’s stolen shells that were once occupied by.

Okay, sorry, I must have been thinking about someone else! I'm really sorry for your loss!

Don't forget to dip the new crab into the fw of the crabitat.

Do I use the water I already have? Is that what you mean?
Or do I make a new batch, and swish him in it.

[Lewisthecrab]

I usually when I bring a crab home dunk him in my bowl of fresh water that is on my counter for just this purpose.

[LadyJinglyJones]

You can use the water in the tank. The idea is that the odour of a strange place/ other crabs will be rinsed off.

(I'm privately skeptical that this accomplishes anything much, but it's established crabbing lore/practice, and isn't likely harmful.)

[piratetoothgir]

Here he is!!
I do not have a name for him, but he’s quite a big dude!

His shell is painted, and it’s around a 1.2” opening.

Refer to my other thread in “New Crabs” to see more.

[Hermiearth]

Make sure that the spare shells in your tank are not painted and take this out when he changes.


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