Macabre Rainbow Crab Problem

Hi Guys,

I've posted on here a few times.

I have had 2 rainbow crabs for about 3 months now that are both fairly young. They don't get on particularly well but they can both look after themselves.

The first one of them molted about 2 weeks ago and that all went through smoothly. They both had healthy appetites but he had suddenly stopped eating. From then it was about 1-2 weeks before the molt.

Anyway, the 2nd fella had lost 3 of its legs when I got him. I knew the molt was getting close because he stopped eating and he had these blue pouches where his new legs were coming though.

Last night he had molted, as his shell was outside this little underwater cave that I have. I couldn't see either crab so to be honest, I feared the worst.

I lifted up the cave and sure enough, the newly molted crab had been attacked by the other one. About 1/6 of his main body shell on the left hand side is missing with what I assume is crab meat around it. His eye in that area looks damaged too. He doesn't look well but he's still alive.

I have put him into a smaller tank by himself. Has he got ANY chance of survival with part of his main shell missing?

As I said in the thread title, its been a very macabre incident. With hindsight I would have separated them into different tanks as soon as I suspected a molt was getting close.

Does anyone think he has a chance?

Andy

 

Of course this is a guess and I am assuming that his wounds are not fatal but...I believe he has a chance.

Life is an credible thing. Things go on. They find a way.

If you had not taken away the predators then I'd say only a minute chance but, alone in a tank I have faith.

I am always amazed at the ability of things to survive.

 

Thanks for you reply - you've given me some hope!!

It's sad to see things like that happen. I guess the next few days will be critical for the little guy.

Andy

 

Thank you ALW for replying to my post.

Just to let you know that the crab died last night. I suspect that damage was done to its respiratory system and consequently it probably drowned.

I preferred to be optimistic like you, but I guess there was just to much damage in the end.

Andy

 

Did you eat him? :yelrotflm

I'm just kidding. We sometimes forget that animals do what animals do. It's a tough world out there.

 

Sorry about the loss K+

 

So sorry I hate it when the critters die. Funny how attached you can get to them. . .

 

Thanks for the comments.

Yes you're right...like any animal, they're fascinating to watch. I think crabs in paricular are fascinating creatures. I'd been looking forward to him molting for ages - it really was quite sad what happened.

Andy

 

I know how you feel one day I was watching my favorite fish (6 line wrasse) and the next morning it was gone. No sign of him at all.