Goniopora killed my emerald crab?

[hefner413]

I found my emerald out on the face of some rock today, just above my goniopora. The crab usually doesn't come out much, but I didn't think much of it. But then I realized a little later that it was face down, touching the goniopora, and had not moved at all since I last looked at it. I tapped it and it did not move at all. I took it from the tank, and it was dead. I know that goniopora can sting, but can it sting enough to kill the emerald?

 

[hefner413]

Bumps

 

[rusting]

Originally Posted by Hefner413
I found my emerald out on the face of some rock today, just above my goniopora. The crab usually doesn't come out much, but I didn't think much of it. But then I realized a little later that it was face down, touching the goniopora, and had not moved at all since I last looked at it. I tapped it and it did not move at all. I took it from the tank, and it was dead. I know that goniopora can sting, but can it sting enough to kill the emerald?
I would say no. Anyone else have a though on this.

 

[sudc]

I cant imagine the goniopora was involved. Almost definitely just a coincidence.

 

[jerthunter]

Could it have been the emerald crabs molted exoskeleton? The molted exoskeletons often look almost exactly like a live crab.

 

[reefernana]

Originally Posted by Jerthunter
Could it have been the emerald crabs molted exoskeleton? The molted exoskeletons often look almost exactly like a live crab.
That's what I was thinking cuz mine just molted a few days ago for the first time since I have had him. If it hadn't been for seeing my hermits after they molted I would have thought my emerald was a goner, too. Then I saw my 'Elvis' come out from under a rock a little later looking like he had had a wax job, he was so pretty!

They do hide for a while after molting because they are vulnerable after, being that it takes a little while for them to harden up again. Keep checking for him, unless what you pulled out was indeed a solid body.

 

[azfishgal]

I too thought I had a dead Emerlad Crab because what I took out was a complete crab, no holes to speak of, looked like a dead crab. What I did was cut the little guy in half and guess what, he was empty! A few days later I saw him, so he had just molted.

 

[hefner413]

AHHHH, I didn't think to look into this! I should've thought of this after having a similar scare with my cleaner shrimp. Oh well - the crab/or crabshell is down the drain - guess we'll just have to wait it out and see if he reappears! I sure hope so!