Molted shell??

**andreal1623** · 02-10-2009, 07:08 PM

Hi im wondering if anyone can help!

When we bought our red crabs the guy warned us that when they molt the disgarded shell would look like a dead crab.

Is this true? and if so how do I tell if he's molted or dead??

Thanks in advance!!

**Crispy** · 02-10-2009, 07:09 PM

Originally Posted by andreal1623

When we bought our red crabs the guy warned us that when they molt the disgarded shell would look like a dead crab.
Is this true? and if so how do I tell if he's molted or dead??

yes, this is true... when your crab molts you will see a near perfect shell of him and you'll still see the live crab.

**andreal1623** · 02-10-2009, 07:30 PM

It was VERY realistic!! I gave it a poke to see if it moved and there seemed to be a flap on the underside of the shell.

We've not seen the crab tho? Suppose he could be hiding?

**Deleted User** · 02-10-2009, 07:34 PM

Originally Posted by andreal1623

It was VERY realistic!! I gave it a poke to see if it moved and there seemed to be a flap on the underside of the shell.

We've not seen the crab tho? Suppose he could be hiding?

Your crab will hide until his new shell hardens off. It is amazing and really cool to watch a crab or any other shellfish moult.

**Crispy** · 02-10-2009, 07:35 PM

Originally Posted by andreal1623

It was VERY realistic!! I gave it a poke to see if it moved and there seemed to be a flap on the underside of the shell.

We've not seen the crab tho? Suppose he could be hiding?

Probably is hiding... just wait and he should poke out sometime. Molting crabs are healthy crabs!

**andreal1623** · 02-10-2009, 08:19 PM

Come to think of it, he wasn't that active yesterday and he had lost a leg! Am I just being paranoid or are they also signs of molting?

**aquasteph** · 02-11-2009, 12:24 AM

if he lost a leg, he could be fighting with another crab, or stressed. Generally when they are ready to grow a new leg they will molt. But if he has already molted, that means that he is happy and healthy. Molting is a good sign.

Fighting is totally natural for crabs. Make sure to keep an eye on them though to make sure that they aren't beating up on one particular crab-- try to get them about the same size to prevent dominance issues. (Even though there will ALWAYS be dominance issues.)

Aren't the exoskeletons neat!? I take mine out and let them dry up hard. They're super neat to study.

Enjoy!