Question about Banjo

[Gizaroo]

Hey all!

I think Banjo, my E, may be heading for a molt... He/she seems to be moving very slowly today, and has been getting slower and slower over the last few days. He recently changed into a smaller shell than what he initially moved into, and today he seems extra big for it (even though he hasn't changed again). I've put a larger selection of shells catering to him in the tank, as Blu seems quite happy with his pick, and have rearranged the tank slightly in case I have to divide the tank in 2 for Banjo to be iso's on one side. He's been hanging out in the moss pit ALOT lately. I seem to always find him in there. I wonder if this is the spot he wants to molt. I've been keeping it damp so it doesn't dry him out. I picked him up today to move him back to the moss pit after I rearranged the tank, and he is slowly moving around the perimeters of the moss pit, as is his usual routine before settling back in. When he slowly, almost agonizingly, came out of his shell when I picked him up initially, his abdomen appeared quite engorged, as were those folds of skin that I have seen in another picture on here.

Am I correct in my assumption that he may be getting ready to molt? Or is something else going on?

Oh and the humidity has been staying between 75-78% and the temperature between 76 and 78 degrees F.

Also, I was wondering...if I come across another E in Pet Forum, where I got Banjo and Blu, should I get it as a companion for Banjo? I've read that the E's like to have another E for company...or would that make it too crowded? I am thinking of just keeping the 2 tanks as they are. The 3 little guys in their tank (5.5 gal), and the 2 big guys in theirs (10 gal)

[Gizaroo]

Here's some pics of the new setup, and of Banjo getting some energy and exploring too.

http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae24 ... 0082-1.jpg

http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae24 ... 0072-1.jpg

http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae24 ... 62-1-1.jpg

[CrabbyJo]

Good call on getting the tank prepared in case you have to separate the crabs!
Nice looking setup too.

Since crabs don't have folds of skin as you describe, it's likely you are seeing a molt sac. You say you've seen it on here, can you link the thread? That would be helpful.

There is a strong chance he may be about to molt from your description, most E's don't change shells often and when they do, it's usually before or after a molt, not any old time like PP's will do.

He may just end up molting in the moss pit, try not to disturb it too much when he's settled in. I had an E molt in my moss pit as well, completely surprised me. If you must mist it, don't soak it too much, you don't want to spray a newly molted crab.

[Gizaroo]

It was in Emma's post about asking if toodles had a molt sac... here's the link to a photo provided:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v50/e ... CN3396.jpg

The intestinal/squiggly folds like thing is what I am seeing on Banjo. He is back in the moss pit, and I am not messing with him anymore for awhile, aside from keeping the moss damp. (I spray it once a day, and only if it looks like it's drying out. But I also don't want it pulling water from him if he molts in it!)


Also, I was wondering...if I come across another E in Pet Forum, where I got Banjo and Blu, should I get it as a companion for Banjo? I've read that the E's like to have another E for company...or would that make it too crowded? I am thinking of just keeping the 2 tanks as they are. The 3 little guys in their tank (5.5 gal), and the 2 big guys in theirs (10 gal)

[CrabbyJo]

I believe what you are seeing may be the crab's pleopods. the molt sac is actually the bright blue object down below those. Pleopods are used by the female crab to hold the eggs against the abdomen until they are ready to be released into the ocean to hatch. They look sort of like tentacles.
But if you crab is coming out of his shell that much that you can see pleopods, and (s)he looks swollen to you in general, then it does sound like she may be ready to molt. I believe Toodles molted a few weeks after this picture was taken if I remember correctly.

I have to run so can't answer the rest, someone else probably will be along to reply!

[emmac350]

Yes, Toodles did successfully molt about 2 weeks after that picture was taken. It was the molt after that one that she surfaced from with a shriveled abdomen and never recovered from.

[CrabbyJo]

That's right Emma, I'd forgotten about Toodles passing, I'm sorry.

As for getting friends, yes, I'm sure your crab would love to have some buddies. Do make sure to isolate them for at least a couple of weeks before you put them in with your existing crab though.

[Gizaroo]

Thanks! The pet store didn't have any Es the other day...but next time I see some I'll get another one at the least

And sorry about Toodles Emma

[Gizaroo]

So Banjo was out today when I got home...so I picked him/her up...and he/she definitely has a molt sac...It wasn't blue, but more of a purple-ish color. (maybe it was the lighting?)

Also, I heard munching sounds coming from the side of the tank with the molter in the 5.5 gal tank... I think he might have actually molted this time! I see that he has moved slightly from his prior position... has kind of backed out of his hole that he had made. Hope he's coming to the top soon! (Not like he was under very far lol. Still don't have more than an inch of sand in the tank. That will change soon I hope!)

[Jadexox]

cool a blue hermie
can you get them in Australia