why is my emreld crab white?

ilv4xn · 01/26/2009, 11:58 AM

what would cause my emreld crab to turn white??
everything that I can test for says it's normal my calcium is a little high like 500 but the rest is all in the normal range

LJA · 01/26/2009, 12:08 PM

Well I just had to give my emerald crab the kick because i noticed last night that it was upside down and not moving. I flipped him back over and he just kept flipping himself onto his back. When the lights came on today he was very white. Still moved a little but could not stay upright.

I concluded that it had some kind of sickness and was not worth potentially contaminating the tank and tossed him.

This was in myu tank for about 8 months and was fine so IDK what it actually was.

ilv4xn · 01/26/2009, 12:19 PM

mine seams to be doing well eating and scampering about in the tank but he turned white. I did dose for red slime before I noticed he was white

wipe · 01/26/2009, 12:27 PM

Maybe he was in the middle of shedding/moulting? Did you recently add some iodine that makes all the shrimp shed maybe the crabs.

Pheeshes · 01/26/2009, 12:30 PM

mine died the night after turing white too.

ilv4xn · 01/26/2009, 01:55 PM

I have not added any iodine I hope he don't die. I lost two snails and don't know why. all my chem test's say normal. I think my pep shrimp is even still alive he is the canary in my reef mine.

klaytos · 01/26/2009, 04:11 PM

I got two emeralds when I first added my CUC. Both were bright green. One has molted 3-4 times and has gotten significantly larger, the other turned white and has never molted that I can tell nor changed size. He has been white for like 4 months and seems to go about his business just like the other crab but he is far more reclusive. Hopefully someone here knows what the deal is.

Whys · 01/26/2009, 04:28 PM

I've seen a few posts on this issue lately. I have yet to read a definitive answer. More than one has reported the eventual death of their "Michael Jackson" crab. Mine has turn slightly white, but I believe it is preparing to molt. I should receive my magnesium tester in a few days, as some have suggested low mg as the possible culprit. Death does not seem to be a foregone conclusion based on reports, but like everyone else, I don't really know what's going on.

mjoener · 01/26/2009, 05:48 PM

I would think molting.
It is like snakes, the entire body sheds it's shell, including all functional exterior parts.
With this being said, it is likely that the animal went into a molt at which time there was a complication, i.e. iodine lvls, and the molt did not conclude.
the animal can live like this but it is at a loss as it is more vulnerable and also some things that it relied to feed or escape have been altered dramatically, sight, and feel.

Whys · 01/26/2009, 06:10 PM

That makes a lot of sense kmjoen, thanks for the input.

ataller · 01/26/2009, 06:15 PM

I also have an emerald that has never molted. I have had it for 6 months now, and it is completely white. It is also missing a leg and a claw. Still eats the nori I feed it. Always wondered why it never molted.

Adam

Whys · 01/26/2009, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ataller
it is completely white. It is also missing a leg and a claw.

You should name him Lucky.

01/26/2009, 11:58 AM	#1
ilv4xn Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: portland OR Posts: 162	why is my emreld crab white? what would cause my emreld crab to turn white?? everything that I can test for says it's normal my calcium is a little high like 500 but the rest is all in the normal range __________________ Don't force it. Get a bigger hammer! Current Tank Info: 50gal

01/26/2009, 12:19 PM	#3
ilv4xn Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: portland OR Posts: 162	mine seams to be doing well eating and scampering about in the tank but he turned white. I did dose for red slime before I noticed he was white __________________ Don't force it. Get a bigger hammer! Current Tank Info: 50gal

01/26/2009, 01:55 PM	#6
ilv4xn Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: portland OR Posts: 162	I have not added any iodine I hope he don't die. I lost two snails and don't know why. all my chem test's say normal. I think my pep shrimp is even still alive he is the canary in my reef mine. __________________ Don't force it. Get a bigger hammer! Current Tank Info: 50gal

01/26/2009, 05:48 PM	#9
mjoener BAMs BAMs... I have a ton Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: E.P., MN Posts: 739	I would think molting. It is like snakes, the entire body sheds it's shell, including all functional exterior parts. With this being said, it is likely that the animal went into a molt at which time there was a complication, i.e. iodine lvls, and the molt did not conclude. the animal can live like this but it is at a loss as it is more vulnerable and also some things that it relied to feed or escape have been altered dramatically, sight, and feel. __________________ Getting back in with a 5g Nano. R.I.P. RSM 250 - April 2010 RSM 130 - July 2007 Current Tank Info: 30g w/ 10g sump/refug Custom Build

01/26/2009, 12:08 PM	#2
LJA Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Florida Posts: 702	Well I just had to give my emerald crab the kick because i noticed last night that it was upside down and not moving. I flipped him back over and he just kept flipping himself onto his back. When the lights came on today he was very white. Still moved a little but could not stay upright. I concluded that it had some kind of sickness and was not worth potentially contaminating the tank and tossed him. This was in myu tank for about 8 months and was fine so IDK what it actually was.

01/26/2009, 12:27 PM	#4
wipe Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Nw side Chicago IL Posts: 340	Maybe he was in the middle of shedding/moulting? Did you recently add some iodine that makes all the shrimp shed maybe the crabs.

01/26/2009, 12:30 PM	#5
Pheeshes Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 181	mine died the night after turing white too.

01/26/2009, 04:11 PM	#7
klaytos Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Dayton, Ohio Posts: 73	I got two emeralds when I first added my CUC. Both were bright green. One has molted 3-4 times and has gotten significantly larger, the other turned white and has never molted that I can tell nor changed size. He has been white for like 4 months and seems to go about his business just like the other crab but he is far more reclusive. Hopefully someone here knows what the deal is.

01/26/2009, 04:28 PM	#8
Whys Moved On Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 3,263	I've seen a few posts on this issue lately. I have yet to read a definitive answer. More than one has reported the eventual death of their "Michael Jackson" crab. Mine has turn slightly white, but I believe it is preparing to molt. I should receive my magnesium tester in a few days, as some have suggested low mg as the possible culprit. Death does not seem to be a foregone conclusion based on reports, but like everyone else, I don't really know what's going on.

01/26/2009, 06:10 PM	#10
Whys Moved On Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 3,263	That makes a lot of sense kmjoen, thanks for the input.

01/26/2009, 06:15 PM	#11
ataller Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Posts: 610	I also have an emerald that has never molted. I have had it for 6 months now, and it is completely white. It is also missing a leg and a claw. Still eats the nori I feed it. Always wondered why it never molted. Adam