Crab Mystery! help

Discussion in 'Inverts' started by charms09, Mar 12, 2009.

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  1. charms09

    charms09 Plankton

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    Mar 12, 2009
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    I have four striped leg hermit crabs in my salt water tank that i have had for over six months. The strang thing is that twice now one has come up dead, without a shell, and i still have four crabs! I am confused, i thought they could not breed in captivity, i have never seen any eggs. Please someone explain to me what is happening?
     
    charms09, Mar 12, 2009
    charms09, Mar 12, 2009
    #1

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  2. MTips18

    MTips18 Purple Spiny Lobster

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    is it just the leg you are seeing claws and such

    any pics?
     
    MTips18, Mar 12, 2009
    MTips18, Mar 12, 2009
    #2
  3. Swede

    Swede Flamingo Tongue

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    Sounds like they are molting. Nothing to worry about.
     
    Swede, Mar 13, 2009
    Swede, Mar 13, 2009
    #3
  4. salsalito25

    salsalito25 Stylophora

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    sounds like molting here also...

    good luck...
     
    salsalito25, Mar 13, 2009
    salsalito25, Mar 13, 2009
    #4
  5. steve wright

    steve wright Super Moderator

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    molting - as the crab grows its skin does not grow , so the crab crawls out of its shell , hides somewhere and then sheds its old skin and then climbs back into its shell

    Steve
     
    steve wright, Mar 13, 2009
    steve wright, Mar 13, 2009
    #5
  6. unclejed

    unclejed Whip-Lash Squid

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    They are molting. Make sure you provide a variety of different size shells for them. Your LFS will give some empties usually if you ask.
     
    unclejed, Mar 13, 2009
    unclejed, Mar 13, 2009
    #6

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  7. stepho

    stepho Panda Puffer

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    My LFS sells them. They are 12 for $1.00 though so they are practically giving them away lol.
     
    stepho, Mar 15, 2009
    stepho, Mar 15, 2009
    #7