Red Claw Crab

**kufan** · 08-23-2006, 04:09 PM

I recently bought a red claw crab. I know these things molt, but how long does it usually take? My crab has sat in the same spot for about 6 days and hasn't shown any signs of moving. Is this usual, or does it take longer.

Thanks.

**DemonShark** · 08-23-2006, 04:56 PM

hmm what are the PH and amonia lvl?

**William** · 08-23-2006, 05:13 PM

Are you sure your seing the crab and not the shedded old skin.

**DemonShark** · 08-23-2006, 07:25 PM

lol that kinda be funny

**William** · 08-23-2006, 07:38 PM

It's not an unusuall misstake. the moolted skin looks just like the crab.

**kufan** · 08-23-2006, 07:48 PM

I know it isn't the skin cause I don't have two crabs, and before he molted, he was very active and I saw him a bunch. As far as the ph/amonia levels, i don't know cause I don't have a way to test them. I'm just trying to figure out if he is dead cause if so I'm planning on getting a new one.

**William** · 08-23-2006, 08:05 PM

That does unfortunatly don't mean much because the crab usually hide (very well) for a week or two after molting (untill the new shell hardened). They have tricked me in the past.

I even thought one had died. Removed the dead crab from the tank and than found the crab alive in the tank about a week later.

**kufan** · 08-23-2006, 09:46 PM

Originally Posted by William

That does unfortunatly don't mean much because the crab usually hide (very well) for a week or two after molting (untill the new shell hardened). They have tricked me in the past.

I even thought one had died. Removed the dead crab from the tank and than found the crab alive in the tank about a week later.

I was planning on leaving the molted shell in there, is that ok? How long does molting usually last. Is it just a couple day thing or does it usually take a week?