Do crabs molt?

[revjlw]

Just found what looked to be the "shed crust" of a crab. I kow shrimp molt, but do crabs?

 

[byrself]

yep. most do.

 

[revjlw]

That's good - I thought I'd found a fatality.

 

[reeferkeeper]

Have you ever eaten a soft-shelled crab? That's what makes them soft. They are considered soft shelled crabs for 24 hours after they shed there shells. After 24 hours they become hard again. Thats why you may not see the crab that moulted in your tank for a day or so. They generally hide to avoid predatation until their shells harden. BTW, I love soft-shelled crab coated in cajun spices and fried! Served with Jalepeno tartar sauce!

 

[chainsaw5vent]

yep. mine do from time to time <img src="graemlins//urrr.gif" border="0" alt="[urrr]" />

 

[$altydog]

Just while we are on the subject of crabs, I just moved my emerald crab to my sump. He was eating my leather coral! I've never heard of that happening, but I guess mine was hungry!

 

[drillsergeant]

i keep mine, pull them out while they'er still fresh, place them in position(very carefully) and let'em dry. they'er very delicate but you can see how big your little critter is getting every time.

 

[joe's reefer]

yup they do if the iodine levels are sufficient

 

[blennybabe]

all crustaceans molt, except for barnicals. they lose their shell and then puff them selves up with water and secret a new shell so thwy have room to grow in it. young crabs that are growing rapidly can molt as often as every other week. most adult crabs do it about every 6 weeks. it depends on the crab and how much it is getting to eat. i love when my anemone crab molts because he grows a little algae on him and then he molts and gets all clean.