Molting or Dead?

Marshmelo76 · Post by **Marshmelo76** » Tue Jul 09, 2013 8:43 am

Not at all, I appreciate the help!And, I'm in Indiana

Will try for a clearer pic.

Marshmelo76 · Post by **Marshmelo76** » Tue Jul 09, 2013 8:58 am

Ok, here is a close up pic. This is going to be the best I can get because it's in the corner.http://s46.photobucket.com/use...bs/100 ... htmlShould I try to poke at it? I've seen no movement all day. But, it doesn't smell at all either.

jgfceit · Post by **jgfceit** » Tue Jul 09, 2013 10:21 am

From what I've seen, this is either a surface molt or PPS, which is pretty likely. If it hasn't moved since you first saw it (like, a twitch or something) it may be dead. Of course, that could also be an exo, and the crab might be recovering inside its shell. My advice: if its COMPLETELY still for another 24 hours, poke at it. And don't forget the extra shells!

Crabber85 · Post by **Crabber85** » Tue Jul 09, 2013 10:59 am

With a surface molt you'll see the old exo still attached or close to the shell that the crab was in when it initiated the molt and in most instances the crab will pull way back into the shell nearly or completely disappearing depending on shell size.This however does not appear to be a surface molt as the old exo would not still have the eye stalks attached which is a clear indicator to me that the crab has dumped it's shell.You can try gently moving the crab and if there is no response then its very likely the crab has passed.

Marshmelo76 · Post by **Marshmelo76** » Tue Jul 09, 2013 11:25 am

OK, maybe I'll give it a gentle poke tonight. One more question - if it did die, I think Petco guaranteed them for 15 days. Since I just got them Friday, it would be covered. Should I get a new one or just stick with the two remaining?

finalfantasyxii · Post by **finalfantasyxii** » Tue Jul 09, 2013 11:52 am

I, personally, would go get another one. It is fair to get your money's worth and maybe give another crab a chance at a happy life at the same time! Besides you just got the other ones so you shouldn't really have to ISO. Not enough time has passed since you got them is what I mean. Happened to me with the first 4 crabs I bought - one died right away so I went and saved another one!

Marshmelo76 · Post by **Marshmelo76** » Tue Jul 09, 2013 12:18 pm

Ok, gently poked it and it moved. Put a piece of boiled egg yolk near it and left its shell next to it. Hope it will be OK

Crabber85 · Post by **Crabber85** » Tue Jul 09, 2013 12:52 pm

Keeping fingers crossed that it pulls through but be prepared if it does not as this is a very touch and go situation and these things can swing drastically in little to no time.The crab may pass sometime during the night so don't alarmed if you find it has already gone when you get up in the morning.Yes I would definitely take it back and do an exchange as FinalFanstasy suggested.

Marshmelo76 · Post by **Marshmelo76** » Tue Jul 09, 2013 1:08 pm

Ok, thanks.. so glad I have others to share this with and to advise me!Here are some pics I just snapped of the least shy guy/gal (haven't gotten far enough to tell the sex yet) I like to call Krabbie Patty. I definitely think this one is a PP:http://s46.photobucket.com/use...bs/100 ... tmlHowever, I'm thinking that this one stole the shell from the one in the corner From the time I got them, the one wearing that shell dug out a hole in the corner and just stayed there, while the one in the blue shell that is now by the corner always hung out at this side of the tank and wasn't very shy.

finalfantasyxii · Post by **finalfantasyxii** » Tue Jul 09, 2013 2:14 pm

Looks like a PP to me! Cute little bugger...

Marshmelo76 · Post by **Marshmelo76** » Wed Jul 10, 2013 7:16 am

I know, he is cute! It's so hard for me not to pick him up. He looks at me like "play with me!" I will wait the four weeks though My naked crab is still wiggling every once in awhile in the corner. I guess he must be molting. I hope he makes it.

jgfceit · Post by **jgfceit** » Wed Jul 10, 2013 12:41 pm

Same here! I have to restrain myself from picking them up and playing with them. That one month is the longest of my life!I really hope your crab makes it...

Marshmelo76 · Post by **Marshmelo76** » Wed Jul 10, 2013 2:02 pm

Krusty finished his molt! Crawled back into his shell tonight. I had to put the top of a 2 liter over him though b/c Krabbie Patty kept going over on top of him while he was still out of his shell. I have a small shell of dechlorinated drinking water and piece of pretzel and exo pieces as well as two other shells in there with him. How long should I keep him in it? I read 7-10 days but I hate keeping him in that little space very long.

finalfantasyxii · Post by **finalfantasyxii** » Wed Jul 10, 2013 2:17 pm

Yay!! That is awesome! Go Krusty!I would probably play it by ear and keep him safe until he seems like he wants to cruise around. If he seems active he can probably take care of himself but if he's lethargic he won't care about being in a small space anyway.That's my thinking anyhoo...

Crabber85 · Post by **Crabber85** » Wed Jul 10, 2013 2:28 pm

Your going to need to keep him separated from the others for at least five days as the re-hardening process will take a minimum of two and he'll need 24hrs at the least to regain the use of his body.Make sure to keep his old exo close to him as he'll need it to properly re-harden and regain a lot of the nutrients he burned through attempting to cast it off.Without it he wont harden properly and will be less likely to survive the next few weeks to his next molt.