My Crabs Have Scaly Eyestalks!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Apr 26, 2005 6:16 am

Ok, my crabs I have just gotten have scaly white things on its eyestalks. One of them has had them spread to the front of his eyes. I am sure he can hardly see. I was wondering......For cats and dogs, you can put olive oil on a Q-tip and swipe the ear to kill them mites. I think it sufficates them. Does anyone on here think that might work on these parasites on the eyes without harming them. Olive oil is pretty mild.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Apr 26, 2005 12:25 pm

I wouldnt use olive oil, i don't think crabs come in contact with it in the wild. I'd try the cutip but use dechlorinated water. I would't risk it, since crabs are more sesitive than humans, cats or dogs. You never know what reaction might ocuur. Also if they had oil on their eyes i think they would try to wash it off. This wouldn't allow the oil to "suffocate" the parasites. Kyle

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Apr 26, 2005 3:12 pm

Interesting...there is a post somewhere on hermitcrabsrus about this very thing, and I don't think anyone has found a solution yet. Someone was waiting for a molt to see if they cleared up afterwards. They had some very clear pics of the scales, too. Maybe check there as well if you haven't yet? I haven't seen an update but you never know. Sounds like some type of parasite, but I don't know if they pose any danger, especially if your hermies can still find food and water and the like.

Nicole · Post by **Nicole** » Tue Apr 26, 2005 3:14 pm

I have seen some pics of ruggies on here with the scaly eyestalks. From what I remember, it didn't really affect them behavior-wise. I wouldn't try to remove the scales. Several people on this forum had hermies like this. I don't believe that parasites were involved.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Apr 28, 2005 2:11 am

I have had a few Ruggie's that have had this on their eye stalks and I think it's just barnicle, nothing to worry about. It comes off by it's self.Sandra

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed May 04, 2005 2:04 am

The ruggies came to us like this, she says that it JUST appeared and began spreading.Are you sure its not a premolt fog on the eyes?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed May 04, 2005 4:27 pm

I have found a lot of people that say that their Ruggies have this same problem. No it is not fog, it is crusty. I have heard from others that when thier hermies molted, it was gone. None of mine have molted, so I will just have to wait and see.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon May 30, 2005 1:10 pm

I made a post a few days ago about this stuff. when I brought home 3 E's they all had that white stuff on the inside of there eye stalks. I really think its just barnacle.. and will come off when they molt.