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Is there a healthy color?
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- Zygote
- Posts: 1
- Joined: 17 Feb 2005, 15:12
- Location: Rohnert Park, CA
Is there a healthy color?
I'm not if one of my crabs are healthy. His color seems off. He's not really red or even brownish red. He seem more of a purplish black. Is it to late for this little guy. Help!! My six year old daughter has just purchased 2 crabs with her own piggy bank money, and i am trying really hard to make sure they make it. any help is appreciated. ![Sad :(](./images/smilies/icon_sad.gif)
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Shawn ![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
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- Wai
- Administrator
- Posts: 2899
- Joined: 01 Nov 2004, 14:12
- Gender: Male
- Hermit crabs: 2
- Total gallons: 45
- Total tanks: 1
- Location: Victoria, Australia
- Contact:
No, no, your hermit crab is fine! The darker the colours, the healthier he is. They don't have to be red or brown to be healthy, that's the 'healthy colour' for only a few species. Some species of hermit crabs are healthy if they are dark brown or purple. In general, the darker the colours, the healthier he is. An unhealthy hermit crab will look pale and have whitish-grey skin (like he's all washed out). If you have a crab with such dull colour, you need to feed him plenty of carotene-rich foods such as carrots and other brightly coloured vegetables.
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- Zygote
- Posts: 72
- Joined: 04 Nov 2004, 13:33
- Location: Burleson, Texas
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Try http://www.hermit-crabs.com to check out what species he is. He sounds like a PP or Rug to me.
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email an Administrator or Moderator!!!
Our site: http://www.hermitcrabparadise.com
This is my sister's story- http://pages.ivillage.com/luvne
If
my advice doesn't help, PM, IM, or email me at blondey42992@yahoo.com
Thanks!!
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- Zoea I
- Posts: 110
- Joined: 01 Mar 2005, 07:10
- Location: Colorado, USA
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- Wai
- Administrator
- Posts: 2899
- Joined: 01 Nov 2004, 14:12
- Gender: Male
- Hermit crabs: 2
- Total gallons: 45
- Total tanks: 1
- Location: Victoria, Australia
- Contact:
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- Zoea I
- Posts: 110
- Joined: 01 Mar 2005, 07:10
- Location: Colorado, USA
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- ayianna
- Zoea I
- Posts: 87
- Joined: 05 Nov 2004, 18:09
- Location: Irving, TX
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There is no single healthy color. Basically, the more color there is, the more beta carotene your crab has eaten. Crabs would normally consume this through the ingestment of other crustaceans and shrimp. They change color much like flamingos do. Without shrimp (or another source of carotene), flamingos turn white over time.
It is not necessarily bad to have a light colored crab. I have 3 myself, one of which is almost white. That's just the color she is.
Typically, on most crabs, if they aren't well nourished, it's visible in their claw tips and pincers as particularly light, if not white areas and the crab is not naturally colored white. This indicates they lacked beta carotene during their last molt.
Ways to darken your crabs: Shrimp, krill, carrots, and any fish and crab foods specifically designed for brightly colored fish and/or crabs.
It is not necessarily bad to have a light colored crab. I have 3 myself, one of which is almost white. That's just the color she is.
Typically, on most crabs, if they aren't well nourished, it's visible in their claw tips and pincers as particularly light, if not white areas and the crab is not naturally colored white. This indicates they lacked beta carotene during their last molt.
Ways to darken your crabs: Shrimp, krill, carrots, and any fish and crab foods specifically designed for brightly colored fish and/or crabs.