Mini Crab help

C

countrygirl4

AC Members
Oct 3, 2005
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Hello

I have 2 mini crabs in my tank, and I noticed today that the female I have has taken on this sort of pale color, where as she was a brown color when I first put her in a few weeks ago. It's almost a gray color.....it's really weird. Anyone have any ideas what would make that happen? I haven't changed anything in the tank at all since adding her in. Thanks for your help!
 
Species? Crabs, while often sold as FW, are most often actually brackish. they need the higher mineral content of BW to successfully molt and grow their new shell. A change in color may be associated with the need to molt, or it could reflect a successful molt--the new shell is most often a brighter, cleaner color.
 
Thank you. These crabs are actually in my brackish tank-I guess I posted this on the wrong forum-just noticed that-sorry! So then I should not be worried about her changing color like that then? The species name listed on the tank at my local fish store just says "mini crab" for these. They do also sell red thai crabs, which I had one of in my other tank, which was freshwater. But it actually died last night-I had it in there for a few months. I am guessing that could have had to do with needing the brackish water then? It did have a place to get out of the water, and actually spent a lot of time sitting perched up on top out of the water. I was thinking of getting another crab for my freshwater tank, but if they should be in brackish, then should I just scrap that idea? thanks again for the help!
 
Yep, there are very few crabs available for sale that will survive for long in FW. This one n BW should be fine, just make sure there are lots of good hiding places to protect her following her molt, to allow the shell time to harden without being attacked by tankmates (even other crabs).
 
Ok, I now have a really silly question, but once the crab has shed it's shell, will it look exactly the same with the exception of the brighter shell or will it appear differently since the shell will be soft at first? Also, how thick is the shell that is shed, and will it come off in one giant piece (look like another crab sitting there) or will it be in little pieces? Thanks!
 
It comes off all at once, and will look like there's another crab in there. Leave it in the tank--the crabs will consume it to reclaim the protiens and calcium. The newly molted crab will be brighter, and cleaner--no little bits algae, etc, and any missing parts should be fully restored--legs, claws, etc. They will hide until their new shell hardens--you don't want to disturb them, since any injury during this process can be lethal and long term.
 
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