Surprise crab died

[Mark1313]

Like to know what it is (was) please. Didn't know he was even in there until I saw belly up. 

Tank has been up 3 weeks, rock, sand and water from LFS demo tank. Everything seemed great until yesterday. 

 

Week 2 I added 5 tiny hermit crabs, a star polyp, and a red chili coral. That's it. 

[patback]

Looks like a type of symbiotic crab.  What's it claws look Like?  

 

Btw, that chili coral is going to be very difficult to keep alive in a new tank.  

Edited July 16, 2017 by patback

[Mark1313]

Sadly that was the only pic I took before the little guy went swirly. 

I can probably do this research myself but I was feeling lazy Sunday. 

 

So far so good with the red cactus. Shrinks up with the lights on and about triples in size when the moons are on or when it's dark. I'll keep an eye on it, thank you. 

[RayWhisperer]

Are you sure it isn't just a molt?

[Mark1313]

Perhaps it was? I probably got carried away since it was my first loss.

I know it was belly up and not moving for about 1/2 hour before I pulled it. 

[patback]

1 hour ago, Mark1313 said:

Perhaps it was? I probably got carried away since it was my first loss.

I know it was belly up and not moving for about 1/2 hour before I pulled it. 

I know it sounds stupid and condescending but something alot of people don't realize is that dead crab= meaty insides with a weight to them. Fragile/lightweight=molt

[lkoechle]

I just saw this crab on KP Aquatics today. Orange Gaudy Clown Crab is what they called it.

[Mark1313]

Now I'm mad cause I think you hit it with the Gaudy Clown Crab and I can only hope it was just a molt, because they are cool looking. 

[Mark1313]

@patback Not condescending at all. As much research that I did before I even attempted this tank, I still know nothing. So I'll take any advice or help I can get, thanks

[Clown79]

Chili corals are beautiful but an expert only coral.

its extremely difficult to keep alive and has specific requirements