Orange/Yellow material in front of molter's shell

[kayo1895]

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?
EcoEarth, 4-6 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. 80%/75-80

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

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, use a dechlorinator for fresh and then instaocean for salt

5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?
They are replaced pretty much daily; almonds, pellets, mealworms, lettuce, strawberries, lots of freeze dried fruit

6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known?
Since August, all three are believed to be EE

7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen?
Believe it is molting right now

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

9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?
3, two medium and one small

10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any?
6

11. Have there been any fumes or chemicals near the crabitat recently?
No, just usual house smells

12. How often do you clean the tank and how?
spot cleaning and clean food and water when needed

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.)?


16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.
I have had one crab tucked behind a cork piece for about a month now, and I originally noticed the situation when I lifted the piece without realizing he was there and saw the ashy grey body laying about halfway out of the shell. I replaced it and I have waited over a month now and I have had other people say it was the beginning of the molt. I just recently was able to see the edge of his shell opening and have noticed what looks like orange/yellow blobs of something right next to the opening of the shell. I checked on this because I noticed that the shell was at a more visible angle than before, and I assumed that he moved slightly. I am hoping that this is his exoskeleton, but I have no idea what one looks like. Can anyone give me advice on the situation and if he is still molting or has died?

.

[wodesorel]

Is the part that you think is the exoskeleton still there? They eat their exo within a week or two.

[kayo1895]

Is the part that you think is the exoskeleton still there? They eat their exo within a week or two.

I cannot tell without lifting the cork and I don't want to potentially disturb him. Can the exoskeleton be other colors?

[wodesorel]

It will look exactly like the crab did before molting as it's a perfect shed of their hard bits. Some crabs are lighter between their legs and on their carapace, so depending on the color, it could be the exo.

[kayo1895]

It will look exactly like the crab did before molting as it's a perfect shed of their hard bits. Some crabs are lighter between their legs and on their carapace, so depending on the color, it could be the exo.

Okay good to know. For some more context I only noticed this material in the last week or so because I noticed the shell was shifted back at a different angle than it had been for almost a month. He was a pretty bright reddish orange color before he went under. Could it be possible that this happened when it pulled back into its shell and it could be molting? It doesnt smell at all in the tank as well.