Hermit Molting?

[jbc35]

So, this morning, I get up to check on my 2.5 wk-old 12G Nanocube (clean-up crew has been in for one week, after cycle completed), only to find what I believed to be the remains of my smallest blueleg perched on a rock. The front of the crab looked normal (as in, like a carcass), but the back was strangely translucent white-ish.

After getting into work and reading up online, I learned that this is likely a crab molt? Is this probably the case? IF so, how long before I can expect to see the crab again?

I thought it was strange for the crab to have died (unless one of the others killed it), b/c my parameters are good.

Ph: 8.0-8.1
No ammonia or nitrites
trace nitrates (less than 10)
Salinity 1.023-1.024 and trying to raise it slightly.
Temp ranges from 79-80 during the day and falls to around 77 at night.

I was also worried that I have too big a cleanup crew, but there was a ton of algae on 15+ lbs of live rock, and they are still working on it. The crew is:

6 Astrea
6 Nassarius
3 Scarlets
3 Bluelegs

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

Crabs molt too the only way to be sure if it's a carcass or not is to check to make sure you have 6 hermits in there that you added with the cleanup crew.

 

[Deanos]

Is this probably the case?

Yes

IF so, how long before I can expect to see the crab again?

When it's new exoskeleton hardens and it feels safe.

 

[basiab]

Nice crew, but only the astrea will help get rid of algea. Nassarius are detritus and food eaters. Hermits will eat some but not enough to make any dent in your volume of algea. In the long run you need to control nutrients to cut down the algea. And when you you get that done let me know how you did it.

 

[jbc35]

Thanks all, I feel a bit more relieved now. Any suggestions as to what direction I should go in regarding additions to my cleanup crew / additional livestock. The crew has been in over a week now (I guess the tank is closer to 3 wks old). After waiting another week, I was going to add either a couple shrimp or a fish (thinking small ocellaris clown or a clown goby). I'm planning on adding stock to the tank every 2-3 wks, and will prob wait another month or so until my calcium levels (now 300) and alkalinity (3.0) rise before I add corals.

 

[Deanos]

There are a few articles stuck atop this forum that address your questions.