My red-claw crab molted!

[fishmonger]

Can't believe I missed it. I've only had him for a month. Should I take his old body out of the tank? He was missing some legs when I bought him from the lfs and now he has them all them back. COOL

 

[TankGirl]

Sometimes they eat their exoskeleton, and it is good if they do, but if he doesn't after a day or two then go ahead and remove it.

That's the great thing about molting - they'll get any missing appendages back again

 

[workfortheman]

I had a fiddler crab that did the same, they come back so healthy and colorful. Unfortunately, he climbed right out of the tank eventually and became bait for my cat!

 

[fishmonger]

I just wish I had scene it. He must have done it during the night. Well I guess that's a good sign.

 

[fishmonger]

seen*

 

[TankGirl]

Be sure he has some cover right after the molt, since his new exoskeleton will be soft and he will be vulnerable, depending on whatever else is in the tank.

 

[fishmonger]

Ya, he was hiding out most of the time after the molt. He's all out and about now. The other crab who lives in the filter came down and ate all of the leftover body parts. So I guess that's that. The fish , generally, leave the crabs alone.