Rainbow Crab Falling apart?

Robert04

Aspiring Self Proclaimed Expert
Dec 31, 2008
492
0
16
I have a rainbow crab that has been in my tank for 5 months now and she all of a sudden dropped a leg couple days ago... I change her tupperwear of water every day to eveyother day, depends if i feed her wet food.. she also gets crab pellets and vegetables.... I thought she was going to molt because she stopped eating a week or more ago yet now he is falling apart.. I left home today early int he mornign to come home and find her sitting there motionless ..she looks as if she is dying her big claw fell off, another leg and the other on the same side looks none funcional she is very limp and not moving much though she is still alive.. also she is making bubbles while sitting partially out of the water.. she has no mobility unless she can walk on 3 legs.. Is this a point where it is better to euthanize? and what is a safe way to do it if nessicary.. I dont want to leave her there rotting alive.. what are my options? Do crabs molt like this? Is this a disease? poor water conditions?... I use tank water in his tupperwear.. wellthe water I use in my tanks anyways..
 
Is her water deep enough for her to completely submerse herself? If she is trying to molt they do it submersed and needs to be able to fit in the water and probably have twice more the room and a flowerpot or something in the water so she can hide. Blowing bubbles means she is upset or angry and uncomfortable. Add a little aquarium salt to the water also. Is there a seperation at the back of her shell?
 
The water is deep enough I put gravel in so she can get out.. No split.. if you mean from molting I picker her up and checked her out.. she didnt even try to clip me.. I was as gentle as i could and can I use my salt from my sw tank? Rainbows are supposed to be full out freshwater( i specifically got him because she was freshwater..and i checked the web before i got her... I've never read anywhere about that being a good thing for them.. Is there calcium in the salt or something?
 
picture92.jpg
 
Thats the tank she is in..just got my new tanks but hers dosnt have substrate yet.. 50g... maybe ill try again :-/
 
The water is deep enough I put gravel in so she can get out.. No split.. if you mean from molting I picker her up and checked her out.. she didnt even try to clip me.. I was as gentle as i could and can I use my salt from my sw tank? Rainbows are supposed to be full out freshwater... I've never read anywhere about that being a good thing for them.. Is there calcium in the salt or something?

I meant just like you would do for stress in freshwater fish. Hmmm... I don't know what else to suggest except make sure she can get out if she wants to and that she needs a place to feel safe, and then I guess all you can do is watch and wait. I am sorry I don't know anything else to tell you. I have been lucky with mine so far. As long as she has one front claw she will be able to feed herself. It is recommended that they have access to salt water as well as fresh. Here is a link for a guy that is knowledgeable about crabs. He has helped me out with questions and is very nice. http://www.shrimpcrabsandcrayfish.co.uk/
 
i would say that is not enough water.
 
AquariaCentral.com