What does it mean when a red claw crab has molted?

Sweetheart

Sweetheart

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May 31, 2008
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I just went to the tank to check on the fish and looked on a log and saw their was another body of a red claw crab, and then right beside it was my original red claw crab. So I realized that it molted but never knew why it did. Why did it molt? I have only 1 red claw crab and 2 fiddler crabs.
 
Oh ha, That's weird when they molt because I always wonder how they get their bodies out of their original bodies:eek: Well thanks for the answer:)
 
Crustaceans molt because of a few different reasons.
1. They've grown, and their shell is too small.
2. They're stressed and seek to eliminate some toxins.
3. Due to an injury, they've regenerated, or partially regenerated, a lost limb. Multiple molts are usually needed to fully restore a lost claw, or leg.

As a crustacean ages, they will molt less frequently.
 
I guess this is as good a time as any for a first post. You asked how they get their bodies out of the old shell. Well If i remember my marine biology, when it is time for a crustacean to molt a gland in the eye stalk will release a hormone that induces molting. It will then bloat itself by absorbing a large quantity of water. This will cause the carapace (shell) to split. The split is usually near the tail or rear end. After the carapace splits the animal will them expel all the water it absorbed and then some in order to make itself as small as possible. Once all the water is expelled, it simply backs out of the old shell. After it has finished backing out, it will again absorb large amounts of water in order to "stretch" the new shell out while it is still soft. This gives it a little room to grow before the next molt.

Sorry if this is a little long
 
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