Two Dead Emerald Crabs in Two Days...

kien · #1 11-12-2009, 12:52 AM

When my porcelain crab molts it looks like that, a whole crab upside down on the sandbed, completely intact! Like a perfect clone. It's kind of freaky actually.. None the less, there he is hanging out in his anemone.

Eb0la11 · #2 11-12-2009, 07:03 AM

Hmmm, I still am not convinced its molt but I will indeed give a harder look and report back haha.

don.ald · #3 11-12-2009, 01:44 PM

when a mantis takes out a crab there is not much left to pick out of the tank!
at least not a whole crab. you still have the hermits as well. so it may not be a mantis.

BC564 · #4 11-12-2009, 03:46 PM

being that the crabs are intact it sounds like a molt.... but what do I know?

untamed · #5 11-12-2009, 04:42 PM

If those crabs are actually dead, then it most certainly was NOT a mantis. I've seen mantis attack crabs and what is leftover is not intact in any way.

Eb0la11 · #6 11-12-2009, 11:32 PM

Hmmmm, thanks guys, seems so weird for their to consistently be clicking noises coming from the tank and then this and not to be a mantis but yeah, some clues suggest there is one and others suggest there is not, so I guess Im back at square one lol

KPG007 · #7 11-13-2009, 07:44 AM

Well, you guys solved my mystery. I bought an emerald crab about a month a go, and found it dead (or so I thought) last week. A couple days ago I see ANOTHER emerald crab truckin' around in the tank! I only bought one, so I thought it might be a hitchhiker.
When Crabs and shimp molt, they tend to hide for a few days after as their shell is still soft and they are vulnerable to attack. Wait a few more days and keep your eyes open. If they molted, they'll turn up soon.

Kelly