Dying emerald crabs

[littlefoxx]

Hey all. Had an emerald crab for half a year. He was very healthy, molted a few times. I then found him dead (not a molt). So saturday I got two new small emeralds. Found one dead, again not a molt, this morning. What is going on? Water is good. All my fish, shrimp, hermits and sea hare are doing good. I dont have anything that eats crabs in the tank. I do have a lot of zoas and added about 5 bubble nems to the tank a few weeks ago (from another tank breakdown and had no where else to put them). Anyone have any idea whats going on? Again its not water, all other animals are in perfect health.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Hey all. Had an emerald crab for half a year. He was very healthy, molted a few times. I then found him dead (not a molt). So saturday I got two new small emeralds. Found one dead, again not a molt, this morning. What is going on? Water is good. All my fish, shrimp, hermits and sea hare are doing good. I dont have anything that eats crabs in the tank. I do have a lot of zoas and added about 5 bubble nems to the tank a few weeks ago (from another tank breakdown and had no where else to put them). Anyone have any idea whats going on? Again its not water, all other animals are in perfect health.

How are you acclimating them?
Also assure calcium levels are in normal range and nitrates are not elevated due to false readings

 

[littlefoxx]

How are you acclimating them?
Also assure calcium levels are in normal range and nitrates are not elevated due to false readings

I drip acclimate them.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I drip acclimate them.

Did you equalize the salinity and ph with the display tank?

 

[littlefoxx]

Did you equalize the salinity and ph with the display tank?

From their bag water? No I did not

 

[vetteguy53081]

From their bag water? No I did not

An acclimation with them is of importance. They are hardy but also sensitive to sudden changes . Best is to empty the crabs and contents into a bucket and add a cup of water or drip until the volume is doubled and check the salinity and ph in bucket until it matches that of tank its going into

 

[littlefoxx]

An acclimation with them is of importance. They are hardy but also sensitive to sudden changes . Best is to empty the crabs and contents into a bucket and add a cup of water or drip until the volume is doubled and check the salinity and ph in bucket until it matches that of tank its going into

I did have an emerald for a couple months who died recently. Could it have been my nems? Added them recently

 

[vetteguy53081]

I did have an emerald for a couple months who died recently. Could it have been my nems? Added them recently

nems would have dragged them into mouth
While they can sting, not likely with shells

 

[justjes45]

I was also wondering this. I have had crabs successfully for years, and recently, my past few groups of crabs have gone dying/missing. Both emerald crabs, and a red crab…( Maybe a red emerald crab? I don’t remember what it was called). I have lost about 7 crabs in all. I find them upside down or just still/ dead. Also ALL in the area of my anemone.