Eating infected exoskeletons

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Wai
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Eating infected exoskeletons

Post by Wai »

Hermit crabs can free themselves from shell rot by shedding their infected exoskeletons. If a surface moult occurred and we have access to their shed exoskeleton, should we remove the shell rot patches? I'm guessing that eating the fungi will pose no benefit to the hermit crab.

Does anyone have photos of a hermit crab with shell rot? I'd like to put one or two up on the new Shell Rot page which I am currently writing.
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Re: Eating infected exoskeletons

Post by HermieLove19 »

I found some information on this site about shell rot in hermit crabs http://www.thecephalopodpage.org/Marine ... rilli.html
One of the main problems affecting hermit crabs, as well as all other crustaceans is shell disease, also known as shell rot. Since chitin is abundant in marine environments as an important nutrient chitinolytic bacteria are common. The bacteria results in a breakdown of the chitinous exoskeleton of living crustaceans, leaving them with holes in their exoskeleton and vulnerable bodies.In the initial stages, shell rot is not fatal but if it continues it may result in unsuccessful shell molt and possible death by other bacteria that are able to gain entry through the shell holes. About ten percent of crustaceans get shell rot each year; although in unhealthy marine areas it may be a lot higher (Vogan et al., 2002)
The way it gets worse is by bacteria getting into the little holes that are made. If you can prevent them from eating the rotted pieces I would remove them. But if they cannot be removed and the crab is fully submerged under the sand to molt I would hope that they don't eat the piece with the hole in it.
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Re: Eating infected exoskeletons

Post by Jedi_Sena »

I have been wanting to put up a page on my care site that deals with illness. The problem is that I have photos but no accurate diagnosis, and certainly no cures. Maybe we could collaborate and share each others info??? I'll try to get them up on photobucket today.
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Re: Eating infected exoskeletons

Post by Jedi_Sena »

okay, here's my photobucket file with illnesses/dead crabs. if you're squeamish, don't look!
http://s199.photobucket.com/albums/aa30 ... illnesses/
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Re: Eating infected exoskeletons

Post by Hermie's rule »

This is interesting. Now I'll go and examine my hermies. LOL Is shell rot more common with one particular species such as E's or is it common to all species?
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Re: Eating infected exoskeletons

Post by Jedi_Sena »

I've only had it happen to one E, but that is just my limited experience.
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Re: Eating infected exoskeletons

Post by emmac350 »

It's supposed to be most, if not all, arthropods (I think). Shrimp, crabs, etc.
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Re: Eating infected exoskeletons

Post by ladybug15057 »

Shell disease can effect any creature that is under the category of "Shell fish"

Lobsters, crabs, shrimp, oysters, etc.

http://crabbywiki.com/tiki-index.php?pa ... by+the+OIE

http://crabbywiki.com/tiki-index.php?pa ... a+syndrome

http://crabbywiki.com/tiki-index.php?pa ... t+Syndrome
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Re: Eating infected exoskeletons

Post by Wai »

Having a good look at Ceres's shed exoskeleton, could this be shell rot?

When I hold the leg in front of a light, more light can pass through the spots, so I'm guessing that the spots are areas of the exoskeleton that are unnaturally thin.
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Re: Eating infected exoskeletons

Post by CrabbyJo »

It certainly does look like something abnormal, Wai, and I would tend to lean that way, to believing it probably is.
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