seeking advice on red claw crab care

[Kaidoro]

Hey, so I've had these 3 red claw crabs for about a month now and one of them passed away, but the other two are doing alright, I guess. They've got this weird white chalky stuff on them, I thought maybe they were gonna molt or something, but it's been a while and nothing's happened. They didn't have this when I first got them, and I'm a bit worried. They're in freshwater right now, but I'm trying to get some salt to make it more brackish. The pH balance is good, they've got a filter, land, all that stuff... does anyone know if this white stuff is normal or if they're sick?

[SeaSiren]

You'll need aquatic marine sea salt for your crabs, but be careful not to pour it in undiluted - that'd be fatal. You've done a great job keeping the two crabs without any major fights or lost limbs; they're super territorial and need loads of space - at least 10 gallons each, if not more.

If they're molting, you should see a small crack on their head, and they'll likely leave the outer shell behind; they love eating it for the calcium. What's their diet like - is it varied? Are they getting enough vegetation? Is the water warm enough for them? And do they have plenty of hiding spots?

[Kaidoro]

Hi again, sorry for the delay in responding. I've just ordered the marine salt and a heater for my crabs, so I'm hoping that'll help with the white chalky outline they've got going on. As for their diet, I've been giving them daily fish flakes and dried river shrimp, plus cucumbers and veggies whenever I can. They seem to love the variety. My smaller crab is a bit of a hideaway expert, always sneaking under rocks or curling up in this little ball cat toy I've got in the tank. My bigger crab, on the other hand, is a total surface-dweller - it basically lives in this little hut I made for them. I'm a bit concerned about adding the salt to the water, though - is there a specific way I should do it to avoid shocking them? They've been in freshwater their whole lives, so I want to make sure I get it right.

[onyzza]

Hey, so I've had these 3 red claw crabs for about a month now and one of them passed away, but the other two are doing alright, I guess. They've got this weird white chalky stuff on them, I thought maybe they were gonna molt or something, but it's been a while and nothing's happened. They didn't have this when I first got them, and I'm a bit worried. They're in freshwater right now, but I'm trying to get some salt to make it more brackish. The pH balance is good, they've got a filter, land, all that stuff... does anyone know if this white stuff is normal or if they're sick?

I'm not familiar with the specific salinity requirements for red claw crabs, but I've had experience with transitioning animals from freshwater to brackish environments. My approach would be to mix the necessary amount of marine salt in a small bucket with an air bubbler or powerhead, letting it circulate overnight. You'll likely notice some precipitate at the bottom by morning, especially if you're using tap water - just be sure to add a water conditioner. To introduce the salt mixture to the tank, I'd recommend adding it slowly, in small volumes - about a cup at a time - over the course of several days, ideally in an area with active water flow. Monitor the salinity levels and keep a close eye on ammonia levels, as the change in salinity can trigger a mini cycle in some cases. Lowering the waterline before starting the process might be a good idea. You'll need a hydrometer or refractometer to track the salinity - a refractometer is the better option.

[Kaidoro]

Hello, just a little update on my crabs. I added the marine salt and heater to their tank and they seem really happy now. My bigger crab just molted for the first time, but unfortunately, it looks like it was a bad molt - his claw broke off in the old shell.