Emerald Crab - Molted?

[estein02]

When I came home and looked in my tank I saw my emerald crab's shell...at least I am hoping it was just the shell, on top of a piece of LR. If it was, in fact, molting I'm guessing that it went somewhere to hide until it's shell hardened. How long does that process usually take?
Is there a way to make sure that it had molted rather then died?
Thanks

 

[40 galons]

you can usually tell if you can get the molt and check to see if there is any meat in there. it usually takes mine a couple of weeks to show up after molting

 

[aquaguy24]

mine took about two days to show up agian.. but u can take pick up the molt and smell it...if it stinks really bad then ur crab is dead but if it doesn't stink then its just a molt..

 

[estein02]

It was just a molt! I found the crab hiding under the LR. Thanks for the help.