BlueOpal Posted June 18, 2013 Report Share Posted June 18, 2013 One of my large male yabbys moulted 3 weeks ago. His moult was large as he had to grow back both claws and most legs. The moult was successful and all went to plan.....Until about a week and a half later his back split again. JUST before a moult their backs split and it indicates they are going to do it that day. His back is massively split now and has been for nearly 2 weeks. Its very open. Hes getting slower. Hes falling onto his side alot and basically I know hes sick. I just dont know what to do. I am just about to put him into a holding tank by himself with a high output air stone. I dont know what to add to the water. I have two other adult male yabbys in the same (4ft) tank and they are starting to get a bit aggressive towards him which is really unusual. Tank water parameters are they same as they have been for the last year. I also have a 3ft tank with 3 adult females with the same water parameters. Not a drama with any of the others. All three females have moulted in the last couple of weeks and one of the other male yabbys from the boys tank has also moulted recently with no drama. The only thing that has changed is the temperature. Just recently I decided to heat their tank (has been unheated outside for summer) and I set the min temp at 24. If anyone has any idea what I should do to try and keep my boy alive please let me know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tutters187 Posted June 18, 2013 Report Share Posted June 18, 2013 Do you add calcium blocks for their shells? I'd separate, maybe too late but if you have calcium carb gravel i'd use that and some elodea or plants to eat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueOpal Posted June 18, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 18, 2013 Used to add calcium when they were smaller but was told its not really necessary. I know I cant save him as its gone too far but I want to know why. I have never had any sort of problems with them before. They are in their own tanks and the tanks are set up just for their needs which is why I am so confused. They are my babies and I just want to know that this wont happen to the rest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goneself Posted June 18, 2013 Report Share Posted June 18, 2013 (edited) Calcium is necessary, whoever told you otherwise should buy your replacement. As they grow they constantly suck up any available calcium, and as each shed is bigger than their last one, eating the old shed wont give them enough for the next, bigger one. Always have some shell grit in with the buggers. I'd take the big guy out into a seperate tank, and get some calcium into him, as they're pretty damn tough. Also the others will eat him if he's soft enough. Edited June 18, 2013 by goneself Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueOpal Posted June 19, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 19, 2013 He died last night and its such a horrible feeling. Yup, was told extra calcium wasnt necessary. Will be adjusting all tanks to fix this asap. He was never soft. He hardened up after the last shed really well, his back just never fully closed I dont think. Never once have I had any of them struggle in any way in regards to this. This is a lesson I really wish I didnt have to learn the hard way Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shepherd Posted June 30, 2013 Report Share Posted June 30, 2013 3 years ago I found a Blue Claw making his way down the road in the middle of summer while I was our for a run. He was so dehydrated his body rattled inside his shell. I took him home acclimated him to our 2' gold fish tank and put him in. He now sheds once a year and lives quite peacefully with the 4 gold fish and has NEVER had any sort of calcium supplements or special care. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donny@ageofaquariums Posted July 1, 2013 Report Share Posted July 1, 2013 3 years ago I found a Blue Claw making his way down the road in the middle of summer while I was our for a run. He was so dehydrated his body rattled inside his shell. I took him home acclimated him to our 2' gold fish tank and put him in. He now sheds once a year and lives quite peacefully with the 4 gold fish and has NEVER had any sort of calcium supplements or special care. Yes but the fish food you feed the goldies likely has a lot of fish meal content AKA ground up calcium rich fish bones. I have always added some coral sand to gravel, and had good results. A little bit of iodide helps out a lot too. A single bottle should last you the lifetime of your crusty. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shepherd Posted July 1, 2013 Report Share Posted July 1, 2013 I have always added some coral sand to gravel, and had good results.A little bit of iodide helps out a lot too. A single bottle should last you the lifetime of your crusty. Awesome, thanks for the tip! I'm going to be getting 1 or 2 blue claw for my new 4 footer soon so I'll try it out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
