is my red claw crab (rcc) dying or trying to molt or something else?

Question

I have a rcc and for the last 3 days it has been moving in super extreme slow motion, and flipping over on it's back. I flip it back up but soon it flips over again. It's very lethargic, not climbing or eating or anything. It hasn't dropped any claws or legs or anything. Does anyone know what is wrong with it?

Answer 1

It's hard to say waht might be wrong just based on your description. It may be trying to molt, or it may be bothered by something in the water itself.

Did you add something to remove the chlorine/chloramine in the tap water? (you should also know which your water company uses, because a product made for one won't always remove the other, but there are some products that remove both [but the dose is different] - and letting water sit out for 24 hrs doesn't work if there's chloramine in the water)

Did you add marine salt? (these crabs are often sold as "freshwater" but they aren't - they're from estuaries and need to have some salt in the water; marine salt works best because it gives them all the trace elements they need and raises the pH at the same time)

Does the crab have a place it can get completely out of the water? (these crabs aren't marine, they're terrestrial as well, and go back and forth - just be careful there aren't any power cords he can climb up if you don't have a full cover on the tank - they're escape artists!)

Do you have a heater, filter/airstone for oxygen under the water? (crabs need to breathe too!)

See this for rcc care, to make sure he's got everything in his environment that he needs and eliminate some other possible causes: http://badmanstropicalfish.com/profiles/profile101.html

Answer 2

More than likely it is getting ready to molt. just observe it for a few days and if you still feel cause for concern take it to a exotic pet veterinarian and ask them for advice on what is happening.