Arrow Crab Deformed Arms

Hemiseller · Dec 3, 2015

My arrow crab shed his exoskeleton today. In doing so I noticed that his two front arms that his claws are on are both seriously bent. He has not even attempted to move either of them. Basically what would be our shoulder to our elbow seems to be all that is affected. Here are a few pictures. Can any body help me identify the problem and help me fix it?

NanaReefer · Dec 3, 2015

Not much you can do. Let nature take it's course.

Hemiseller · Dec 3, 2015

Does this mean I have any problems with my water?

Tahoe61 · Dec 3, 2015

This may resolve with the next molt. I would check water chemistry and do a 10% water change to assure there are adequate trace elements such as Iodine........

Eckolancer · Dec 3, 2015

You can break the arms off and let him grow new ones. After breaking them off don't change water for at least 1-2 weeks to let them heal. Then after a water change add extra iodine to the tank this will force him to molt and start growing new arms rapidly. This also works for shrimp and other crabs.

Hemiseller · Dec 3, 2015

Just cut them off at the joint between the body and the arm with scissors I guess?

29biotrial · Dec 3, 2015

I had a lobster that was a really bad deform after his molt. I just let him be and he molted agin and was back to normal. Also bought a coral banded shrimp for real cheap cause he only had one arm and it grew back in like a month. So I've seen both ways work.