Semi-surface molt?

[lilhoney42380]

I don't think it's his abdomen. I just noticed it the other day and am sure that he didn't have that when I got him a few weeks ago. It's right where his leg connects to his body and it's quite large, about the size of corn kernel.

[ladybug15057]

Are you meaning a gel limb possibly? Is he missing a leg?
It is important to offer him the correct diet and ocean.sea water.

[lilhoney42380]

I don't know if he's missing a leg. I'll have to look closer next time I see him out. I just got home from work and he was still in the same position that I left him in last night, halfway in the cocohut! I don't think he's missing a leg because this gel-like thing is ON one of his legs.

I picked him up and moved him back to the one corner that he was in the other day because he seemed vulnerable in the semi-in/out cocohut position. I'll try to get a pic of him so you all can see what I'm talking about.

He has plenty of salt water. In fact on Wednesday night he sat in the salt water dish all night! That's another reason why I thought he may be molting.

[ladybug15057]

A clear picture would be needed at this point. Gel limbs do not grow on any of the other legs but where there is a limb missing. A water sac does not grow on a leg either, but usually if they have one it is down in their shell.

[lilhoney42380]

Okay so I just saw him and he is missing a leg so I guess what I'm seeing is a gel limb. What should I do?

[CrabbyJo]

if you have an iso tank that you can set up to have the same conditions of the main tank, you should move him with some of the substrate he is on into that tank. If you don't have that, you should isolate him. He is close to molting, as a gel limb indicates. You can isolate him within the main tank if there is room, in a small container with a cap ful of ocean water and fresh dechlor water. Make sure to check the water several times a day, he could drain it quickly. Also offer some seaweed, some organic honey, and something rich in calcium such as freeze dried shrimp, or fresh steamed shrimp with the tail/exo still on. Offer some good protein and calcium sources.
Since he's in/near the cocohut, that is good. He will need darkness to help him molt, as it triggers the molting hormone. If you can separate his area of the tank with a piece of glass from a picture frame, or a CD jewel case, that should work well too.
If he surface molts, you will want him protected from the other crabs, as molting gives off a smell that is irresistable to the other crabs. This is so the molted crab is enticed to eat his old exo, but unfortunately it attracts others as well. Without a nice underground "cave" to hide in the smell will attract them.

I'm sure Lady bug will have more advice if I've missed anything, she is well acquainted with surface molters.

[lilhoney42380]

OMG I need HELP!!!!

Yesterday I saw everyone except for the possible molter out and about. He was still in the cocohut so I just left him alone. Today when I was changing out the water and food for the others I knew that my smallest E was in the cocohut with the possible molter and wanted to get him out of there so he wouldn't bother the possible molter. I picked the cocohut up and as expected they were both in there. I moved the smallest E out and just out of curiousity picked the possible molter up and he slid halfway out of his shell and looked wet/slimy and was pulsating!!! I put him down really quick so he didn't come all the way out. Ewwwww!!!! OMG!!!! So I took the glass out of 2 picture frames and sectioned him, the cocohut, a fresh water dish, a salt water dish, and a food dish with some veggies and cuttlebone off from the rest of the tank.

Is this how they look when they molt? I don't think he's dead because he was moving and pulsating when I picked him up and the other one I had that died wasn't like this at all. The deceased was smelly and tight in his shell. I don't smell anything with this guy.

OMGOMGOMG

[CrabbyJo]

lilhoney, you interrupted him mid molt. What you saw was the liquid that is released to help the old exo slide off, and the pulsating was the muscles ejecting the old exoskeleton.
As we suggested, you really needed to section him off. I highly recommend you do so now. You can cut the middle out of a 2 liter soda bottle (cut the top and bottom off) and slide this down over the cocohut into the sand around it.
Do NOT, I repeat, DO NOT lift the cocohut again, your molter must not be disturbed, kk?

Get a couple of plastic bottle caps and place them in the space left within the 2 liter bottle area. Fill them with fresh dechlor water and ocean salt water. You can also get another and put in some organic honey, some seaweed, and some crushed cuttle bone or eggshell. He may not eat for a few days as he should be busy eating his exoskeleton. Keep the water fresh for him.

Best of luck to you, it's not often one actually sees a molt in action!

[ladybug15057]

I too think you interrupted him mid molt and what you saw is the first of the hardening process when they drink/eat it. The glass off of a picture frame for now sounds like the better of the options due to him being in a cocohut. It would be almost impossible to get caps of water in where he is with the cocohut covering him. Right now, do not worry about trying to get food in the sectioned area. He should eat his exo for the nutrients it contains. In a few days you can offer the foods suggested.
Good luck!

[lilhoney42380]

OMG it was so disgusting!!! I hope I didn't hurt him when I picked him up.

I have the glass from 2 picture frames pushed down into the sand and all the way down to the floor of the aquarium. I hope the others don't try to knock it down and get to him!