Brown Fluid Driping from Shell after Bath

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Feb 13, 2006 8:47 pm

Latest Update: Sammy dropped a leg. Still no actvity or feeler movement. I don't think that this will be a molt; rather it will be the end.

troppo · Post by **troppo** » Tue Feb 14, 2006 3:17 am

Ok, I can understand the stress you must be going through Michael,

It must have felt like when I lost one crab after another,6 in all,some within days through bad molts and cannabilism.

Perhaps I should have been clearer with my last post

.
I used to own a 4 gallon plastic critter keeper,and I placed the hot water bottle on the outside of the tank,leant up against the side.

As with the issue of the brown liquid,I have experienced this with one of my crabs before(straight after I brought it home from pet store),and only merely wished to offer hope

,not just say it was a sure sign of death.

But,I am grateful for this information,Kathy, as it will help other crabbers and myself if a similar situation occurs.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Feb 14, 2006 7:09 pm

Sammy passed today. I'm so sorry for him.

I hope he's happy at the big beach in the hemie heaven. I found out after I picked him up and he didn't move at all. I held him to my face, took a sniff, and smell the fishy odor, and that's when I knew it was over. Here's what he looks like when I found him at the end:

Notice the second missing leg (he lost one last night I think).

Once again, goodbye Sammy, and RIP.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Feb 17, 2006 9:59 am

I think Violet is going too. I forgot to uncover the hood yesteerday (I had to wake up at 5:20 in the morning, so you can understand), sealing in all the hot air (without the towel, the temp averages 80 degrees day, but with it, it can go up to 88 degrees). Violet is lethargic and dropped a leg, but I gave him a bath and there was no brown liquid. I'm getting sick of not being able to control the temp properly with this tank. Two questions: A) Is there any way I can add a nightglo to my MiniBow2.5 (which only has one light socket)? and B) Are there any 15 watt nightglo bulbs?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Feb 18, 2006 7:47 pm

Violet has passed. The problem is that I can't properly maintain the temp in my crabitat. It's either too cold (if the light isn't on) or too hot (if I forget to remove the towel after leaving it on at night, resulting in temps above 85 degrees). I could have avoided this problem if I would have bought a real 10 gallon aquarium and a dual-incandescent hood instead of the small MiniBow2.5, which can only take one bulb. So here's a picture of Violet A.D.:

Farewell Violet. I remember you feasting on that pecan like it was yesterday.

Also, I asked about 15 watt Nightglo's because I can only seem to find 25 watt ones.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Feb 19, 2006 7:44 pm

I am so sorry about your loss. I know that you loved them, and having that taken away hurts. You at least have the power to try again, this time with experience.

As for Heating, I have the same thing you have for a 10 gallon tank. It seems to heat the substrate enough. If they can dig into it they should be pretty warm. For cooling it down. I would try putting a fan or air conditioner on, to get the air moving and cold. Maybe putting something cold like a bottle of ice water on the tank might work. That is the best I can think of.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Feb 19, 2006 8:35 pm

I am so very sorry to hear about your losses. That is just the worst. Sadly anyone that has taken up the job of crabbing has suffered a loss or will most likely suffer a loss.

Before you get anymore crabs, get the 10 gallon. Crabbing is a bit expensive at first. Getting all set up. But in fairness and duty to the crabs it is a must.

I use an UTH for a 10 gallon. I had it on the side for a while and the crabs all congregated there under the FB.

I have since changed it and put it under the tank with the water dish over it. That generates enough humidity and makes a yummy warm pocket for the crabs to dig into. There are always a few in that spot.

Again, i am so sorry to hear of your losses. As OIF VET said, you can try to insulate the tank too. It's why i use glass lids. They often come with the tank for about $10. I've never bought one at walmart but just the local mom and pop pet store.

Hang in there,
:

:

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Feb 20, 2006 6:45 pm

metalshell wrote:I am so sorry about your loss. I know that you loved them, and having that taken away hurts. You at least have the power to try again, this time with experience.

As for Heating, I have the same thing you have for a 10 gallon tank. It seems to heat the substrate enough. If they can dig into it they should be pretty warm. For cooling it down. I would try putting a fan or air conditioner on, to get the air moving and cold. Maybe putting something cold like a bottle of ice water on the tank might work. That is the best I can think of.

I use a single 15 watt clear light bulb during the day, and nothing at night. Hope that clarifies this for all.