Crabs

[82coz]

I have found three small crabs dead in my tank my levels read ammonia 0 nitrite 0 nitrate has a small reading in my tank I have 2 clowns a yellow ( Hawaii) tang and 2 banded shrimp. What's happening here and will it start killing the rest of my tank

 

[ahiggins]

Well you have a healthy (?) tang so I'm guessing it's not a water issue.
Is it possible that the dead crabs you're finding is their molts? Whenever my porcelain molts it gives me a mini heart attack lol
Also what kind of crabs are we talking? For some reason hermits never do well in any of my tanks, I always find random legs here and there. So I wouldn't worry if it's hermits.

 

[recess62]

How old is the tank? Can you post a tank picture?

 

[Rufus’ goofs]

I've convinced myself so many times that my emerald and Pom Pom crabs have just up and died, then come back later to have them practically pointing and laughing at me.

The Pom Pom has an especially deceiving molt.

 

[JaaxReef]

The shrimp could be competing for food since they are much faster and the crabs could be starving. How often do you feed? How old is the tank?

 

[82coz]

Small amount of food every once a day it may be molts but they look real to me if I find any more I'll look harder at it. The crabs were it the live rock so I'm not even sure what type they are just stressed out when I've seen them dead

 

[ahiggins]

If youre keeping a starfish alive, the crabbies shouldnt have an issue surviving.
Im guessing your crabs are hitchhikers then? Might be a blessing in disguise that theyre getting taken out by something.