Emerald Crab

Ostridge · 11/03/2009, 10:57 AM

Our emerald crab is turning pale colors. Is he dying or is he just about to molt?

lordofthereef · 11/03/2009, 12:51 PM

Mine changed from bright green to a hazier white, but only its back. He is now covered in coraline though so I cannot tell what the deal was.

Ostridge · 11/03/2009, 01:03 PM

yea thats what is happening. so its normal?

MarshaW · 11/03/2009, 02:59 PM

Mine has also turned colors along with my ywg. I wonder if they do this with age?

vickreyreef · 11/03/2009, 07:46 PM

mine have both been whitish for the past few months....no clue why but they never molted and are still healthy

jflick345 · 11/03/2009, 09:30 PM

I've read that emerald mithrax crabs get the green color from the algae they eat. When there's not enough algae for them to eat they start to lose the color. You can actually just supplement their diet with algae like you would any other creature

Ostridge · 11/03/2009, 10:32 PM

Thanks. we havent put any algae in the tank yet. could be the issue. what kind of algae do you recommend?

jflick345 · 11/03/2009, 10:35 PM

Any of the sheets of green macro algae you can buy for tangs and whatnot are fine. Just tear off a strip and weigh it down under a rock and I'm sure he'll find it.

11/03/2009, 10:57 AM	#1
Ostridge Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Omaha Nebraska Posts: 107	Emerald Crab Our emerald crab is turning pale colors. Is he dying or is he just about to molt?

11/03/2009, 12:51 PM	#2
lordofthereef One reef to rule them all Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Leominster, MA Posts: 5,299	Mine changed from bright green to a hazier white, but only its back. He is now covered in coraline though so I cannot tell what the deal was. __________________ "A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than you love yourself" ~ Josh Billings Visit My Home page for current build thread (click my user name and select "Visit LordoftheReef's Homepage" in the drop down menu!

11/03/2009, 02:59 PM	#4
MarshaW Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: The Paseo Art District in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Posts: 518	Mine has also turned colors along with my ywg. I wonder if they do this with age? __________________ Marsha An expert is a man who tells you a simple thing in a confused way in such a fashion as to make you think the confusion is your own fault. William Castle Current Tank Info: 12 gallon Nano Cube and a 50 gallon bowfront

11/03/2009, 01:03 PM	#3
Ostridge Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Omaha Nebraska Posts: 107	yea thats what is happening. so its normal?

11/03/2009, 07:46 PM	#5
vickreyreef Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Nova Posts: 331	mine have both been whitish for the past few months....no clue why but they never molted and are still healthy

11/03/2009, 09:30 PM	#6
jflick345 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 884	I've read that emerald mithrax crabs get the green color from the algae they eat. When there's not enough algae for them to eat they start to lose the color. You can actually just supplement their diet with algae like you would any other creature

11/03/2009, 10:32 PM	#7
Ostridge Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Omaha Nebraska Posts: 107	Thanks. we havent put any algae in the tank yet. could be the issue. what kind of algae do you recommend?

11/03/2009, 10:35 PM	#8
jflick345 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 884	Any of the sheets of green macro algae you can buy for tangs and whatnot are fine. Just tear off a strip and weigh it down under a rock and I'm sure he'll find it.