Anybody ever see a crab molt/shrimp??

[nanafish]

How many times have you pulled out the shells that were molted from your tank and see how intact they are? I usually cringe when I see my sally crabs' shell as it looks so much like they had croaked. I'm just amazed at how they molt from their shells. Do they really have to struggle much? How do they get the shell in such intact form from their legs? Now I've seen hermits change shells many a time. Just never seen them molt. I realize they have to hide for awhile while their new shell hardens. Anybody???

[duane9]

I shed blue claw crab commercially and it is amazing to see how they shed the old shells. They get a new shell and a complete set of lungs. They molt their shells frequently when they are young and less as they get older.

In the wild they tend to shed on a new or full moon when the water is running stronger and higher. They usually group up or have the help of the male to aid in molting. The males are usually the first to shed, then the females. It is during the shed when mature females breed. In blue claw they only breed once, capable to produce 2 broods each with millions of eggs.

The way they push and pull to get their legs and claws through the tiny elbow joints is wild. Sometimes it happens quickly, within 5 minutes other take up to 30 min. It takes several hours to fully harden, depending on water temp and salinity.

[twelvejewelz]

im from new york. the blue claws taste great . thats how we get our softshell crabs very good

Originally Posted by duane9

I shed blue claw crab commercially and it is amazing to see how they shed the old shells. They get a new shell and a complete set of lungs. They molt their shells frequently when they are young and less as they get older.

In the wild they tend to shed on a new or full moon when the water is running stronger and higher. They usually group up or have the help of the male to aid in molting. The males are usually the first to shed, then the females. It is during the shed when mature females breed. In blue claw they only breed once, capable to produce 2 broods each with millions of eggs.

The way they push and pull to get their legs and claws through the tiny elbow joints is wild. Sometimes it happens quickly, within 5 minutes other take up to 30 min. It takes several hours to fully harden, depending on water temp and salinity.

[duane9]

they are good eating, especially when fresh