Arrow Crab Limb Loss?!?!?

lucky13

lucky13

AC Members
Jan 27, 2005
12
0
0
48
Toledo Ohio
I just looked in my 50 gal tank and saw my arrow crab, who is about 7 inches leg to leg and noticed HE/SHE LOST TWO LEGS!

Now from what I know, an Invert does not just lose two legs on his anitomical Right side for any reason, even molting. Said Crab (aptly named Hershey) seems to be going about his/her routine quid pro quo, but Why The F*** would two legs fall off?

Tank mates include a False Clown, a Royal Gramma, a Green Mandarin, and a cleaner shrimp, 50 lbs of live rock (no sign of a mantis shrimp) .Tank is 10 months old. All tests are within normal limits... Salinity is 1.022, Ammonia is 0, Nitrate is 0, and Nitrite is > than 0.25, PH is 8.3. Temp 76.5 via Digital reading.

One leg was sitting on the gravel bed, by itself and I have no clue where the other one is.

Anyone have a clue? :(
 
Crustaceans can lose limbs if attacked. They release them in a process called autotomy. They will regenerate in the next molt, although sometimes it takes a few molts to get complete regeneration. Research done a long time ago showed that limb loss will actually speed the molt cycle. Of course, one might wonder who was pulling on those legs. Hitchhiker crab? Powerhead?

Alternatively, if the last molt didn't go well, it may have lost a few legs in the process.
 
Corrie, you pushed one of my buttons. I have been looking for years for any evidence of a positive effect of iodine on crustacean molting. Searched databases at work and Woods Hole, asked the gurus at Reef Central, and even put up an offer of $10 for any info regarding a reference on the issue. I honestly would love it if you could steer me toward more information about that.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom