Gross but kind of interesting....

[baycitybettas]

Well, my big crab Goliath decided to moult afterall.  Silly crabby did a "surface moult" though.  Usually they did deep into the substrate, but not this time.

 I walked into the fish room the other day and there was Goliath, hanging out of his shell, looking VERY dead... I was really upset and just figured that the moult did him in.  I gently lifted the shell and realised that was not Goliath, but his empty shell.  He had successfully shed his exoskeleton and was hiding deep in his shell re-cooperating.  I took a picture of his empty exo.  He even shed his eye stalks!

He is starting to eat his shed exo now and is well on the road to recovery http://209.85.62.26/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif' />  



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[Maru]

That is kind of freaky  http://209.85.62.26/html/emoticons/huh.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='huh.gif' />
I'm glad Goliath is doing good http://209.85.62.26/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif' />

[Sunaga]

Thats a lovely thing to be greeted by, most certainly! xD

I.. I just look at that exoskeleton and I can't help but imagine someone's waking reaction if you had put it on their face while they slept.

And its good that he's doing well, too, of course. http://209.85.62.26/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif' />

[baycitybettas]

Ewwwww!  I think it would be a good way to give someone a heart attack!  
Thanks for the positive vibes, both Goliath and Pee Wee (another recent moulter) are doing well...  

[Ian Turkstra]

hey!

glad to hear he's doing well.  I remember you saying he might not live much longer due to molting issues!

So he shed it and left it in the opening of his shell.  That's a nasty trick on his part http://209.85.62.26/html/emoticons/wink.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='wink.gif' />  

[baycitybettas]

A few updated pictures.  Goliath has eaten his old carapace and there are just a few empty legs scattered around...  



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[baycitybettas]

His discarded "Shield Claw".  The business end of a hermit crab...
 



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[baycitybettas]

A very crabby crab.  Goliath is still small, pale and wanting to be left alone.  Notice how sharp and hairy the new exo is....  



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[bettasandbeads]

Neat but gross also.
Good luck with your crabs.
Catherine  

[lamm]

Cool! http://209.85.62.26/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif' />