Need help with two problems in my tank

C

Curtis

I've been feverishly adding to my tank in the last few months (feverish is relative I guess).

I added a Xenia in December that split into 3 seperate plantimals. The picture below is not the best quality, but it has withered in size, has turned somewhat dark, but seems to be hanging on. You can get an idea of the deflation by looking at the amount of foot that is stuck to the rock versus the diamater of the trunk.
This Xenia was in a high light position (currently only sporting SC lights), but moved into an area with less light and less flow with the other 2 Xenias(it was getting blown all over the place).
3 days ago, I noticed this particular specimen looked awful. Assuming it may be lighting, I've moved it back up close to the light.

I'm interested in any opinions if this thing is going to live or not? I don't want to give up on it too soon, but nor do I want it to die in the tank.

Problem 2: What did this to one of my hermit crab!?!
I noticed this thing in the rocks. I wasn't sure what it was at first because it was essentially face down. I was shocked to see it was the front half of a crab.

I recently added a rather large Skunk Shrimp to the tank. Could it have done this?

Your opinions and thoughts (and prayers) are welcome
Kurt
 
Not sure about #1, but #2 just looks like a shed exoskeleton of a hermit crab. When they grow, they'll find a quiet spot in the tank and hang out there while their old exoskeleton splits and is cast off. They'll stay in the same spot until their new exoskeleton hardens. (I have a scarlet hermit that likes to crawl up in the branches of my montipora digitata to shed.)
 
Hrmm.. I've never closely inspected mine, but I have seen clear 'meaty' stuff in sheds that I know are for crabs that are alive.
 
#2 - I have seen it when a crab gets pulled out of its shell. I have seen two crabs gang up on one and just pull it out for its shell. Gang wars ! And I thought having nothing but blue ones would prevent that . Wait until I buy some red ones to teach them a lesson. :D
 
In my opinion, the Xenia will be OK...

IF YOU'LL JUST STOP MOVING IT AROUND! :lol: :lol: :lol:

I agree with Scott, that's most likely a hermit crab molt. However, it's possible that another hermit might have really wanted his shell and he lost the battle.

[Once upon a time...]
My buddy Ashlar and I had brought a few hermits back from Galveston. I had been adding the hermits to my Mantis tank a few at a time. They never lasted very long until I got down to the last hermit, the largest of them all. He would be in there for the longest time, and then I would find this ruined_wasted_remnant of a hermit and know he'd finally been eliminated by the Mantis. Then a few days later, I'd see the hermit back at work just like nothing happened. Those hermit crab molts can be very convincing.
BTW...the hermit crab and the Mantis both are alive and well to this day... however the hermit crab has since moved to New Mexico.
The end. :D
 
How old is your tank? I ask because I could not keep Xenia in my tank until it hit 9mo. I would try a new piece about once a month. (it was cheeper to learn with then other corals "free" :D ) It would do great and then melt away. I had a nitrate problem as well as not changing water problem. How is your water quality? When did you change your water last? As I think about it when I stoped buying water from the LFS and started making it myself it stayed alive. Maybe your phosphates are high.

If you need some more I can help "free"
 
IF it is not simply molting, then I'll assume hermit wars. I've seen what looked like gang bangs before and hoped that it was a bit like watch ducks "fight" at the pond. :roll:

Water was last changed in January. I'm not particularly good about scheduled changes, but it hasn't been long. As for quality, I only have nitrite, ph, and phosphate tests. No2 and Phosphates are 0ppm. PH hangs in the high end of 8.5.

Also, the Xenia is just one of three plantimals all added at the same time just over a month ago. This is the only one cause stress.

Unfortunately, all must suffer at least one more move as I finish up a new 12" extension to the top of my tank to replace my sub compacts with a MH.

Anyone looking to unload some 12" VHOs for dirt cheap? You might be saving a Xenia. :D :D :D

Thanks for all the advice and suggestions.
Kurt
 
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