Crab Question-Broken Legs!!??

darthteddy · 10-23-2004, 11:55 AM

I recently bought an arrow crab from my LFS. The regular owners werent there but i went against my judgement and bought something any way.They placed my arrow crab in an opaque bag so i couldnt get a good look at him. When i got home(45 minutes) I did the stuff to get him aclimated to the water and every thing and noticed a big problem. He has 4 legs on one side and 2 on the other. How many are they supposed to have and do they grow back. How long do they take to grow back. He is amazingly fine tho because even with the lack of legs he manages to get around and he eats plenty of my hair algee. But i am not sure weather to return him for the rebait or let him be happy in my tank. Feedback prefered soon. (2 day warentee on marine crabs)

RobinsonFam1 · 10-23-2004, 05:13 PM

legs generally dont grow back that i know of. they are supposed to have 8 legs. if he is happy and eating then i would not worry.

Doug1 · 10-23-2004, 09:53 PM

Actually it should grow new legs at the next moult, they may start off smaller and grow with each successive moult

RobinsonFam1 · 10-24-2004, 12:21 AM

cool. i have never known that! thanks Doug!

darthteddy · 10-24-2004, 10:10 AM

About how long till they moult usualy. I can already see his two nubs.

tabwyo · 11-21-2004, 09:10 PM

You can help the molt along by adding iodine. But be very careful with adding anything. Iodine aids in the molting process. Many people notice that thier crusties have a tendency to molt after a dose of iodine is added.