Inverts added to new tank - weird emerald crab behavior

[SaltWaterTerp]

I added my first inverts to a cycled tank 4 days ago -- hermit crabs, a peppermint shrimp, and an emerald crab. The shrimp and hermit crabs appear to be doing just fine, but the emerald crab is acting strange -- it keeps flipping over and turning itself upside down, and then staying perfectly still. It is definitely still alive, as it moves around if I flip it back over, which I've done a handful of times.

Any advice?

My water parameters are good, although my salt content is on the high side, but not crazy high I don't think (1.027). I was thinking of doing a water change and adding a bunch of RO/DI water to bring that down. Thoughts?

 

[Zeal]

Heads up on the peppermint shrimp, I had 3 which ate my newly added coral.

As for lowing salinity, top off with RO/DI, itll take a couple days but itll level out

 

[cloak]

I wonder if it's getting ready to molt? Sometimes an environment change can bring this on.

 

[SaltWaterTerp]

Ahh yes, I will watch that shrimp, thanks.

And, yes, the molting thing crossed my mind too. But do they turn upside-down to molt? Should stop flipping him over? I worry that he's gonna die and I won't know the difference.

 

[SaltWaterTerp]

Update: crab disappeared for like 2 weeks — I would’ve bet my house he was dead. But he is now back in action! He is super active and entertaining! Been dancing intermittently around the tank for 2 days!

 

[sjeff35]

Glad to hear he(she) is ok.

I got mine specifically to eat some bubble algae that came on a rock I bought. Dang thing won't touch the stuff...

 

[SassiSkrubbi]

Update: crab disappeared for like 2 weeks — I would’ve bet my house he was dead. But he is now back in action! He is super active and entertaining! Been dancing intermittently around the tank for 2 days!

Sounds like he molted for sure.