Emerald Crab- Dead or Molted?

[fishmamma]

I think my emerald crab died this morning. I found it belly up in the sand bed next to the live rock. The shell was still green, no foul smell. I cracked it topen and didn't see much inside the cavity. But the shell appeared to be intact so I assume it has died and they just don't have much for stomach contents?

:needhelp:

 

[ohiorn67]

hey again!! was the shell real thin feeling and lighter in color at all? My shrimp molted andn I swore somehow I had 2 shrimps and one dead, looked IDENTICAL but it was almost see through thin, still looked like it had eyes and all....was strange...

 

[rossim]

It sounds like a molt if the shell cracked easily and was hollow inside. Mine molt all the time. You even see the hairs on their legs on the molts, so it is usually really hard to tell. After a molt the crabs will hide out in the shelter of the rock until their new shell hardens. My guess is that it was just a molt and that you'll see the crab again in a couple days.

 

[bigarn]

What rossim says is true. They also have a "trapdoor" on their rear underside ..... if it's open, it usually means they molted.

 

[fishmamma]

Shoot, I wish I had looked for that "trap door" before I cracked it in two.......was at LFS today for water and they think it was a molt. The guy said if it had no odor it was more than likely just shell because dead crabs stink no matter how short of time it has been since they passed. So of course I pulled the shell back out of the garbage and gave it a sniff- still nothing, so I am taking that as a good sign. (HI Ohio!!) I will keep my eye out for the little guy.
So somebody mentioned seeing it in a couple of days- is that about how long it taked to form a new shell and reveal themselves?

 

[fishmamma]

Great news- this morning there it was sitting on the rock!! YAY!! I so happy I almost creid. :joy:

 

[monalisa]

Awwww, that's great news. I can't believe how much you can worry about your critters!! and the critters of others!!
Glad to hear everything's fine.
Lisa :happyfish

 

[monalisa]

Hi fishmamma,
I just posted this on one of my threads, but I ordered the rest of my clean up crew from this site, very highly recommended, and I'm counting on that. Let me know what you think 'kay?
10 scarlet hermits
10 bluelegs (like the ones that are in there)
3 emerald crabs
2 brittle stars
1 coral banded shrimp
2 queen conchs
I'm running a 37 gal FOWLR (for at least the first year). I just didn't think that what I have, my 4 surviving bluelegs and 6 turbos would be enough, so I'll be adding to that.
So, what do ya think?
Thanks loads...
Lisa :happyfish

 

[fishmamma]

I think that sounds like a great crew! The only thing you may want to consider adding at some point are the smaller snails that go in and sift through your sand bed (if you have fine sand)...... I can't remember their name- cerith maybe??? But maybe you won't need them with the queen conch's.
I was thinking of getting my next clean up crew from this site too- just to help add to the bill (I want a duster cluster), so I hope you are as happy with your arrivals as everyone else seems to be!! When will they be arriving?

 

[monalisa]

The site says that they ship within 2-3 days of order, so I'm expecting them by early to mid week next week.
The reason I decided to order from here is BECAUSE everyone who's posted about their shipments have all been very happy with their purchases. I know I'm looking forward to getting mine...hope my new lights are in by then.
Have a great day.
Lisa :happyfish

 

[fishmamma]

What lights did you go with?
:happyfish :happyfish :happyfish :happyfish :happyfish

 

[zenway9]

weird, i noticed my emerald crab sitting still last night and i poked at him and he fell to the sand bed. i noticed that his belly seemed popped open like a "trap door". i guess this means he has molted. there was some brown egg-like sacs in the "trap door"...what is this stuff?

 

[fishmamma]

beats me...... - hope someone has an answer for you!