Help!! My Scarlet fell out of his shell?!

[yacobito]

Ok, so I went to the store for a couple hours, come back and one of my scarlet crabs is out of his shell on his back! His shell is above him on a rock. It almost looks like he fell out of it onto the ground below. I test the water and everything is in check. Anyone have any input or ideas? I moved his shell off the ledge and put it by his side but he is just lying there (still moving his limbs though). Help!

 

[mudplayerx]

Sorry to say this, but I think he is gonna die. I've never heard of crabs "falling" out of their shells. He is probably sick and too weak to move.

 

[yacobito]

I might be way off, but when I look at the body (the curled up part that would be in the shell) it has very small red things, ball like things hanging off of one side. The balls look like have little features. Everynow and then the crab moves and these things look to be coming off very slowly. Is it possible this crab is giving birth? I have no clue just thought someone might know?

 

[yacobito]

Crazy! So another crab came over and started digging into the little red things! I tried to stop him, but they won't separate. I don't know if he is eating it or helping? Some of the little red things came flying out and landed a couple inches away. He is still here. All I can do is watch I guess. I don't know if my crab will make it!

 

[dvs]

Not sure but he might be outgrowing his old shell. They dont usually come out of their old one until they find a bigger one but this might be the case. HTH and good luck!
Jen

 

[mudplayerx]

I would personally move that guy to a quarentine tank at this point if he is releasing unidentified little red things into your tank!

 

[bigarn]

He could be molting.... don't touch the empty shell. Many times they'll leave their shells and return after the molt is complete...they know where the shell is, don't move it.

 

[mudplayerx]

Can you post some closeup pics? I'm interested in seeing it.