Rainbow Crabs

Hi Guys,

I'm new to this forum so "hi" to all...

Anyway, I have had 2 male rainbow crabs and have a couple of questions...

1. The aquarium I bought them from insisted that they would be fine in freshwater. My research has shown that they SHOULD be in salt water but would changing the water harm them at this stage if they are now used to freshwater (over 5 months now). The water is always kept at 26 degrees and they have plenty of rocks to climb on.

2. One of the crabs has suddenly become VERY inactive and I am concerned that he is almost dead. He is still breathing and occasionally he moves a limb but I've tried to get him to move and he's playing dead. I've heard that when they are going through the molting process then they can appear as good as dead. Does anyone think this could be happening or is he likely to be dying? Although he's been inactive recently he did venture around the tank yesterday. The other one is very lethargic too but he is still showing signs of movement.

Sorry for the long post but can anyone please advise me?

Many thanks,

Andy

 

how long has he been like that?

 

He was walking around the tank yesterday but today he barely moved.

Now he is on his torso and not on his legs. When I try to get him to move - he doesn't. But he is still breathing and very occasionally he will move a limb.

They both seem to have been getting more and more inactive during the last 2 weeks