I have 6 hermit crabs in my tank, all are still alive, but I found something in my tank that I cant figure out....I have, it looks like 2 dead crabs without shells.....like I said all of mine are still there, so its not them....its a crab because it has the same red legs and the little pincher things, but like I said no shell...there's 2 of them....1 under my rocks and one behind it....what is it...should I take them out? Thanks alot...hate to be such a bother today!
What is this..
- Thread starter jimnjamie2703
- Start date
It's probably their molt since hermit crabs molt. You may want to throw some empty shells into your tank for them.
Make sure you supplement iodine in the tank, this will help with proper molting. We had the same scare with the shrimp, as it looks like a dead shrimp. Like 5xevy said, give them some extra shells because they are growing, wouldn't want them to eat any snails if you have them as well! I'd remove the exoskeleton, no need letting it sit there.
Actually, you do not need to add iodine!!! With proper water changes, all your supplements will be added. You can also leave the molts in the tank. Another way to add to the calcium your inverts need. Here is a pic of my crab molt.
Certainly sounds like what is left over from molting. I never dose iodine in a tank, water changes replenish all trace elements..I agood sign to show that there is enough iodine in the water column is to look at the miolt, if its complete it means that it has molted with ease and no hickups, a broken molt could be caused by a low iodine level..In which case, water changes will sort it....
Niko
Niko