Dying crab? Fast reply appreciated

Our emerald crab has been very reclusive as a rule, but today he came out and fell on his back. We flipped him right side up and he just sort of sat there. He hasn't responded to any stimuli except when we turned him around, and then he turned to face the direction he was originally facing. Now he's pale white and isn't reacting to being poked. Water params look fine. Is it too late to save him?

 

maybe the crab is shedding i would leave him be

 

+1 Hasek

 

yeah sounds more like a molt ... I wouldn't worry too much just yet

 

So I posted from my college campus after I got a tearful phone call from home... I got back and made a cursory examination that the "surely dead crab" that had been removed from the tank (and placed in a makeshift container, just in case) in my absence had, in fact, shuffled off the mortal coil, and after spending a few seconds poking and prodding we paid our last respects and disposed of the remains, and I set about tracking down the culprit. I found the nitrates were much higher than reported to me over the phone, and did a heavy water change. As I was doing it...


...wait for it...


... the freshly molted Esmerelda came out from under a rock to see what the fuss was all about. Cue excessive relief. I'm guessing she crawled out of the molt while no one was looking. Lesson learned. Thanks for all who reassured!

 

Glad everything worked out for ya!