death of a great emerald crab....

[fbm]

My emerald crab died, the guy I got him from said he had him for around 3 years before I got him 4 months or so ago. How long do they live for? And will the clean up crew eat him?

 

[pallan]

are you sure its the crab and not his molt. could have molted after moving to a new tank. i thought mine had died the first time i saw his molt. kinda hard to tell at first glance.

 

[sepulatian]

Originally Posted by Pallan
are you sure its the crab and not his molt. could have molted after moving to a new tank. i thought mine had died the first time i saw his molt. kinda hard to tell at first glance.
Yes, definately check the crab. Pick it up. If you see quite a large opening near the back end, feel free to pry the shell open. The molt of a crab looks very much like the crab itself. The crab will hide for a week or more while it's new shell hardens.

 

[ryanhayes9]

Yeah, i had an emerald crab, and i thought it died like 5 times. I mean, the "molt" looked like the entire body, with the legs, and eyes and all, i mean, it really did look just as an emerald crab woud if it were dead. But take out the carcass and inspect it, if it is a molt, then dont worry, he will hide well wor days maybe up to a week until his shell hardens... : )

 

[fbm]

I hope so, however I see no escape hatch open on this so I don't know.