My two Favorite Crabs Died What Happened?

[MombasaLionfish]

I have two crabs a decorator crab and a giant hermit crab petrochirus diogenes. About a month ago my giant hermit crab came out of his shell I thought maybe he needs a bigger one so I gently eased him back into the shell and got a new shell for him since then he has been acting sluggish I thought maybe I should move him to my other tank with the decorator crab because my parameters a better in there. He was still acting sluggish neither ate their shrimp. This went on for a few weeks. I also have a blasto in that tank and several pods. So it couldn't be copper or parameters because the blasto was doing great. Then one day I noticed my decorator crab had not moved in a while so I turned him around. The front half of him was coverd in a white bubble. Then the next day the hermit crawled out of his shell again and died.

 

[MombasaLionfish]

Just a thought maybe something ate them from the inside?

 

[MombasaLionfish]

Bump Please help.

 

[TriggerFinger]

I did a quick google search (which I’m sure you did too) and the most common reasons are trading the shell up, pest or bacteria got inside, the shell doesn’t fit right or to molt. It was suggested to boil the shell to rid of pests/bacteria but it looks to be too late for your buddy. I have to ask...are you positive you didn’t find a molt?

 

[MombasaLionfish]

He is pretty large and I could tell it was definitely him not a molt. What about the bubble coming out of the other crab? Oh also I have had shells in my other tank for a few months so probably not that.

 

[TriggerFinger]

I’m not sure on the bubble. Sorry for your losses..

 

[Reefapprentice]

Sounds like the decorator had just died and been enveloped consumed a bit by something. The white bubble you see is the crabs internals. Do you have any other invertebrates in the tank, other hermits, snails, mollusks? Any photos of the deceased P. diogenes?

 

[MombasaLionfish]

I had a picture but it was deleted accidentally. I also have a nerite snail.

 

[MombasaLionfish]

I remember what he looked like I can describe it to you. What are you looking for?

 

[Reefapprentice]

Interesting. Could be possible the hermit torn off the decorator`s abdomen, as it is clearly been opened and consumed a bit by something. As for the hermit refusing a shell could be as mentioned above parasites or other residents within the shell or just general stress due to a fluctuation in parameters. For the hermit extremely cloudy eyes and damage to the pleopods ( the small appendages towards the end of the tail that resides in the shell).

 

[xxkenny90xx]

I also have a marine giant hermit crab and mine would eat your decorator crab without hesitation. I know your giant was sick at the time but maybe he took the decorator with him

 

[MombasaLionfish]

I doubt it these two have been friends since I fist got my tank running also I have not seen my hermit move since I put him in the tank with the decorator crab. The giant died sometime in the night because when I checked on him in the morning the back half of him had a rip in it exposing the meat the meat was a different color at the tips. Also the time of death of the decorator is unknown I only noticed it a day before the hermits death because he hadn't moved. But it is possible...

 

[Katrina71]

Opportunist.

 

[MombasaLionfish]

Also I feel like I should mention the hermit also had an anemone on it's shell that disappeared before this.

 

[MombasaLionfish]

I also have a marine giant hermit crab and mine would eat your decorator crab without hesitation. I know your giant was sick at the time but maybe he took the decorator with him

Oh can I see pics of your hermit.

 

[Katrina71]

Sorry about your little guys

 

[MombasaLionfish]

Sorry about your little guys

Thanks they were my favorite inhabitants in all my tanks.

 

[xxkenny90xx]

Oh can I see pics of your hermit.

Here you go! I'm having trouble finding new shells btw so if you have a good source let me know!

 

[Katrina71]

Here you go! I'm having trouble finding new shells btw so if you have a good source let me know!

Beautiful!

 

[MombasaLionfish]

Here you go! I'm having trouble finding new shells btw so if you have a good source let me know!

Cool that is a dardanus megistos they don't get as large as Petrochirus diogenes but they are aggressive. I get land hermit shells and make sure they don't have anything on them then sit them in SW for a day or two.