stuck peeler w/pics

[flounderpounder]

here is a pic of what is happening and what happens after...lol  why does dirty water make their faces stick??

[flounderpounder]

and I dont see any new lungs when this happens as well....the good shed ones left their old lungs in the old shell...and have new ones...where are the lungs on these??  not formed yet??

[rdbeard]

the lungs haven't backed out yet, there fully formed before they start shedding. these crabs aren't stuck there dying in the last stages due to the energy it takes and the low quality of the water. the poor water quality is due to the wastein the water from the crabs,it builds up quick. bottom line more water - bigger system and bio-filter which lets bacteria build up on surfaces,oyster shells is what i use, the bacteria eats the waste. rid -x will establish a bacteria colony.

[flounderpounder]

yeah I have had fresh aquariums for years so I understand the bacteria thing..I use cycle..I just didnt think it would get dirty that quick...The water is crystal clear..I guess the nitrogen levels are high..I am also using tap water...I have no access to saltwater everyday.I will be set up for it by next year.

[flounderpounder]

and why are they so healthy looking until the point of the molt...they swim around and are very lively??

[Dreampixels]

Have you sterilized your tanks since the dying has begun? I would try a mix of Bleach and Water to kill any bacteria or organisms that might be living on the tank itself and will infest the new water.

[R D]

Have you sterilized your tanks since the dying has begun? I would try a mix of Bleach and Water to kill any bacteria or organisms that might be living on the tank itself and will infest the new water.

I wouldn't,bleach will kill what good bacteria that has formed.Tap water already has bleach in it.

[Mikie]

here is a pic of what is happening and what happens after...lol  why does dirty water make their faces stick??

In reality, their "faces" don't stick - the first thing that has to come out after the shell busts open is the backfins/swimmers. If you watch closely, you can see the crab moving the backfins every few seconds trying to work them out. If they can't get the backfins out, they will die as in your pics. On occasion you can help the crab by gently pulling the new backfins out of the old shell. Even if you break the new backfin off while trying to pull it loose, some of the crabs will continue to slough and will live.

[chilly1]

I bet she'll still catch fish.....

[flounderpounder]

In reality, their "faces" don't stick - the first thing that has to come out after the shell busts open is the backfins/swimmers. If you watch closely, you can see the crab moving the backfins every few seconds trying to work them out. If they can't get the backfins out, they will die as in your pics. On occasion you can help the crab by gently pulling the new backfins out of the old shell. Even if you break the new backfin off while trying to pull it loose, some of the crabs will continue to slough and will live.

thanks !! no one ever mentioned that 

[Crabcruncher]

A half bucket of water carried back from the place you caught the peeler will last long enough to sluff your peeler if you have an aerator running continuously. If you dont use aeration, fifty percent will get stuck backing out. Do not add tap water. I use buckets with screw on lids to keep water from splashing out on ride back.

Cc