Hello, My fiddler crab just molted! I thought the little crab had died, but when I picked up the old suit..the live and fine crab ran to another part of the tank...so cool..
A few q's I must ask..
This fiddler crab came from my child's school..ALL of the other crabs they had have now died..even the ones sent home with children..I actually had a discussion with the teacher and some of the parents.
So, I want to make sure that the molting is something it is supposed to do...considering the circumstances the crab came from?
The salt level is at 1.010...it did not molt because of salt in the water did it? As far as I know it has not ever been in brackish water till it came to me.
Does the molting mean it is growing? I have never seen it eat...I just throw stuff in every day..F blood worms, F mysis shrimp, F pieces of krill, some carrot, and some spinach..
I guess I am wondering if I am doing a good job? And how often is it supposed to molt?
Fiddler crab molting?
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purplecandle
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Re: Fiddler crab molting?
I have 3 aquatic crabs, although not fiddler's and they molt when they need to, it's not something that they do on a regular time-frame. That's how they grow, or if they lose limbs they can sometimes do a force molt to regain their limbs (that's what I'm hoping mine will do as they both are a bit legless right now).
I give my crabs fish pellets, pieces of lettuce, carrots, and small pieces of shrimp or mussels. Keep in mind that crabs are generally scavengers, so will take whatever they can find as they forage along the beach, or on the banks of rivers and creeks. When I lived in Maryland as a child we used to catch fiddler's and some of the other small crabs just for something to do (but we always let them go at the end of the day). I've got 3 different crabs in 3 different tanks, and all are freshwater and two of those crabs I've had for quite a long time, one being more than a year old and the other about 8 months old. The 3rd crab I've just recently gotten. But they must not mind the fresh water seeing as they are growing and molting along the way. Very cool too I must admit.
I give my crabs fish pellets, pieces of lettuce, carrots, and small pieces of shrimp or mussels. Keep in mind that crabs are generally scavengers, so will take whatever they can find as they forage along the beach, or on the banks of rivers and creeks. When I lived in Maryland as a child we used to catch fiddler's and some of the other small crabs just for something to do (but we always let them go at the end of the day). I've got 3 different crabs in 3 different tanks, and all are freshwater and two of those crabs I've had for quite a long time, one being more than a year old and the other about 8 months old. The 3rd crab I've just recently gotten. But they must not mind the fresh water seeing as they are growing and molting along the way. Very cool too I must admit.
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Re: Fiddler crab molting?
From what I know its normal. Next time leave the left over shell in there so he can eat it, thats how they build back the calcium they loose while molting. I think your doing great job just try not to over feed the little guy or his water will go bad. p.s.make sure he has a way to dry land.
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purplecandle
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Re: Fiddler crab molting?
I did put the old suit back in....I vaguely remember hearing something about them eating it...but I think I will take it out..she is not really eating it
I tried to do the half land half water thing and it did not work out..
My crab loves this fairly large piece of dried coral...she is always in the nooks and crannies, so I put her in a smaller tank..with sand and water coming half way up that coral. Tyipically she spends most of her day sitting at the water line..hiding out in the coral (Although she does have the ability to go up and be completely dry.) I hope that is good enough..she seems happy
I tried to do the half land half water thing and it did not work out..
My crab loves this fairly large piece of dried coral...she is always in the nooks and crannies, so I put her in a smaller tank..with sand and water coming half way up that coral. Tyipically she spends most of her day sitting at the water line..hiding out in the coral (Although she does have the ability to go up and be completely dry.) I hope that is good enough..she seems happy
m-bertelson wrote:From what I know its normal. Next time leave the left over shell in there so he can eat it, thats how they build back the calcium they loose while molting. I think your doing great job just try not to over feed the little guy or his water will go bad. p.s.make sure he has a way to dry land.