porcelain crab question

[Chorethorious]

Well, within the past few hours my crab has seem to have lost his claws. He is tucked away in a rock higher up in my tank now. He was hosting a RBTA along with an anemone shrimp.

My concern is this: Will he grow those back.. or is it a sign he is on the downward spiral?

FYI - I have a nano with non-predatory fish. There are several snals,hermits and 2 emerald crabs.

 

[Chorethorious]

Well, I just found a full molt of the crab. Scared me because it looks exactly like the whole crab. So, the crab is still alive but without its claws.

Is this a commonality with crabs when molting?

 

[mollymonticello]

Porcelain anemone crabs don't really use their claws for much, they are more for show. They use those long arms with feathers on the end to actually catch and eat food. Hopefully he will grow them back. Molting is one of the most dangerous things a crustacean can do, it is not uncommon for them to lose legs or claws. Check your iodine!

 

[Chorethorious]

He dropped them during the molt. He is actually growing them out now. He was well hidden after the molt, so his new shell formed well. I will check my iodine though, I've not done that in some time.

Thanks!

 

[Pea-brain]

Most experts seem agree that iodine in the water does not have a significant impact on the crustacean molting. Most iodine should be gotten through a good diet and regular water changes. Dosing iodine can be dangerous and iodine tests can be fatally inaccurate. But hey, just IMO

Dan

 

[mollymonticello]

Pea-brain, I find that really interesting. Can you provide a link? I would sincerely like more information on the subject. I have always been under the impression that the iodine level in an aquarium can affect the outcome of molting. Which is why I recommend testing it. I would never recommend adding something without testing for it. Most of the "test kits" we hobbyists use yield relatively inaccurate results. Even digital equipment can be faulty. Which tests do you feel are inaccurate? Are there any that you feel are more accurate than others?

 

[snorvich]

Agree with Pea-brain. You have to be very careful doing this. Water changes should be adequate to keep it where it should be.

 

[mollymonticello]

I don't add iodine, either. I've never had to.

 

[Chorethorious]

Well, I do a good water change regularly, about every Sunday. All my parameters are within spec, so things are good. The crab is now growing out his front claws, which are looking pretty nice.

Interesting comments about the dosing of supplements. I'll take them into consideration.

 

[mollymonticello]

That's great! Just for curiosity, are you able to post a picture of its claws growing?

 

[Purple Penguins]

I would also love to see pics of the claws growing out since one of my anemone crabs recently lost its claws as well, I hope they grow back but I have not figured out why this has happend

 

[Chorethorious]

Well, I figure when he molted there was a need to drop them. I found the claws next to his molted shell. I'll post a pic in a little, but he's got nubs growing out where the claws used to be. The area was empty where he initially dropped the claws. So, its nice to see them growing back.

 

[Chorethorious]

Ok, so... I had slacked on getting the photo in here. His claws are a little smaller this go around, but they are back none-the-less.

 

[icy1155]

Im guessing that "Pea-brain" is getting his information from his knowladge on Mantis shrimps, for which the major cause for death in the aquarium (besides angry aquarists) is a failed molt. If you want more information try pm'ing dr roy who hangs out at the mantis forum... he would know of any studies that showed data like you want. HTH