Dwarf Blue Hermit Molt Mistake!!!

[930Reef]

Hi, all,

I think I screwed up. Nothing huge, but I feel bad, and I'm wondering if anyone can tell me if I killed one of my new dwarf blue leg crabs.

Crab left its shell and was lying on the sand. I watched it all day. No movement. I googled. Somehow I missed the molting idea.

I removed it for fear of it rotting and messing up my newly-perfect water levels. I put it in the kitchen garbage can, on top, and it was there for roughly 20-45 minutes. I then Googled again, because it looked awfully blue to be dead.

I, of course, found the "it's probably just molting" answer this time. I quickly found the crab, rinsed it in some tank water to make sure no caesar salad was on it (ahh!), dumped that water, and then returned the crab to my display.

Chances of survival? Thoughts? I was pretty gentle with it, other than the boneheaded noob move of putting it in the garbage for some time :headwally:

Also, will it return to its shell after the molt? How long should I expect? Finally, should I put its shell near it?

Thanks for any info. Won't do that again. I promise. Picture of the poor little guy is attached.

 

[Drix]

Its dead.

They don't leave their shells to molt, they just short of shake off their fronts.

In the future, I wouldn't bother with something this small effecting your water chemistry, just let it be. On the bright side, this was what, a $3.99 mistake?

 

[930Reef]

Its dead.

They don't leave their shells to molt, they just short of shake off their fronts.

In the future, I wouldn't bother with something this small effecting your water chemistry, just let it be. On the bright side, this was what, a $3.99 mistake?

Thanks. It's a $1 mistake actually. I got 15 for $15. Mostly I didn't want my kids freaking out. First experience with pets for little kids can be tricky

I figured the other 14 crabs would sort it out. I'm just going to leave it there for now.

Anybody think 14 dwarf blue legs are too many for a 15 display w a 20 gal sump? So far only an occy clown w them but internet is full of mixed reviews for these guys. LFS said they'll be fine. Thoughts?

 

[930Reef]

Thanks. It's a $1 mistake actually. I got 15 for $15. Mostly I didn't want my kids freaking out. First experience with pets for little kids can be tricky

I figured the other 14 crabs would sort it out. I'm just going to leave it there for now.

Anybody think 14 dwarf blue legs are too many for a 15 display w a 20 gal sump? So far only an occy clown w them but internet is full of mixed reviews for these guys. LFS said they'll be fine. Thoughts?

I should also mention it's a 15 column so the footprint w live sand is only 14" by 14" by 1" deep. Plenty of LR.

 

[Night Reefer]

When they run out of food he will start eating each other. Failed to mention how on the system has been together. Also do you have any algae on the rocks or Sand that they can eat.

 

[930Reef]

When they run out of food he will start eating each other. Failed to mention how on the system has been together. Also do you have any algae on the rocks or Sand that they can eat.

System has been together about 6 weeks.

Had lots of diatoms. Those are all pretty much gone now. Not much other algae. They have picked rocks clean, too, but I'm not sure they'll be able to sustain with only a couple fish in the tank?

 

[Smokey Stover]

Are you sure that's not just the empty cast off/molted shell? They are most vulnerable (soft) Even from each other until their new shell hardens. They pull way back into their shell and park a while to harden up.

 

[930Reef]

Are you sure that's not just the empty cast off/molted shell? They are most vulnerable (soft) Even from each other until their new shell hardens. They pull way back into their shell and park a while to harden up.

It's an empty shell for sure. The crab was curled up elsewhere, without a shell, in the tank. He's not under a live rock cave. We'll see I suppose...

 

[930Reef]

It's an empty shell for sure. The crab was curled up elsewhere, without a shell, in the tank. He's not under a live rock cave. We'll see I suppose...

He's*now*under a live rock cave...typo sorry