Dead crab or molting?

[maryg]

I looked in my tank today and found a group of crab legs. Not sure if it molted or not. Anyone have a picture of what it looks like when they molt? Couldn't find his shell. He has been hiding lately.

 

[rebelprettyboy]

Sounds like a molt to me...

 

[maryg]

Thank god! I thought he died. So far I haven't killed anyone. It really freaked me out. I did read about molting so I was praying it was so.....
Thanks I can breathe now.

 

[gmann1139]

They look like... well... crabs taht aren't moving...
Yeah, what you saw sounds like a molt. They hide when they're molting and after, its when they're most vulnerable.
I wouldn't worry picking out the legs, either. If you have a CUC, something will eat them.

 

[earnit33]

Hermits - leaves peices everywhere!
Horseshoes - Molt is complete and does look like a dead crab!
Sallylightfoot - Are also complete!
After molting the crab will hide alot until the new shell hardens up!
Hope that helps! These answers are based on my tank!

 

[maryg]

He's baaaaaack! I saw him crawling on the rocks today out in the open. He looks good. He still has the same shell.

 

[tomato clown]

Kind of neat isn't it?
Typically most molters will go into hiding for a while because the new skin/shell hasn't hardened after the molt. It's pretty much like picking a scab off of a cut on your arm. The scab is hard, but underneath it's soft and easy to hurt again.