the other C. Dubia Molted !!!!!

[mattyice]

well both of the algae covered C. Dubia have molted except it is still on their antennules, around the eyes, and the antennal scales, but that will fall off with time im hoping, here are pics of the the one thats missing a rap and now just grew another one with this molt

i find that it is wierd for it to be out in the open though after molting

 

[justinl]

great pics! glad to hear the dubia are recovering nicely. lol looks like that guy has a sweet beard goin.

 

[mattyice]

yeah thats the only algae left on them, i think it comes down to them just needing a nice burrow to molt in and once they got it, they both molted very nicely, so far

 

[Gonodactylus]

This animal is in serious trouble. When the algae penetrates the cuticle around the eyes and antennules it can't pull free from the old thin cuticle in these areas and it remains in place. This impairs vision and olfaction which is probably why the animal is spending so much time in the open. Such animals usually die in a week or two.

Roy

 

[yankeereefer]

Is that chaeto?

 

[mattyice]

im not sure what algae it is but it is growing around both of their eyes, im really trying to do the best i can but it seems like from when i got them its too far out of my control

 

[gemini aquarius(t)]

aww thats a bubble buster! sorry to hear about the mantis' future maybe it hasnt reached that stage yet? would it be better to get them in a net and peel it off?

 

[justinl]

ouch. that sucks the mother. well it can't hurt to keep up the routine and see what happens.

 

[mattyice]

from my understand that would be like a lizard grabing onto its tail, if i try to do that chances are i would do more damage then could or could take the eyes, the antennules or the antennal scales off by accident

 

[dragonforce]

I would put him in lights out for a few weeks and see if you can kill off the algae. I mean like pitchblack! good luck.

 

[Altpers0na-old]

no reef safe herbicides i dont guess ....

lights out.... or, only blue lights maybe? something not so plant friendly...

 

[dragonforce]

100% dark with a towel over the tank and only doing water changes and maint when lights are out is what i mean.

 

[mattyice]

tried it, i had them like that for 2 weeks and no change only a molt

 

[mattyice]

tried it, i had them like that for 2 weeks and no change only a molt from both, plus i have only blue lights on the tank most of the time

 

[Opcn]

Net him outand use some scisors to cut away as much as possible, thats my unqualified peanut gallery suggestion.

 

[Altpers0na-old]

2 weeks wasnt long enough then....

does it still act like it can see? if not. go dark dark... for a longer time...

hell maybe it will molt again....

 

[mattyice]

i dunno i think there are a few reef safe algae killers that i could try, as for now though they are doing fine, im going to be doing a water change this weekend and keep it dark for them for a while and see how well that does

 

[mattyice]

well the one in the pictures died, Dr. Roy you were correct it just couldnt shed off the algae covered parts

but i checked on the other one and there is no algae on it anywhere and he actually stuck a thawed out silversides

 

[justinl]

awww. sorry to hear about the other. ah well, It was still great of you to save one out of two given the state they began with.

 

[mattyice]

yeah but it still upsets me that there was nothing i could do for the one, it seemed like i was the one that let it suffer until it finally died and i just dont like that feeling