Bulldozer in rough shape

[Sage_Exotics]

I found a very, very large crab at a PetSmart today and I could tell at a glance he needed a bigger shell. I don’t buy pets from pet stores (I know it just fuels the cruel) but this guy... I couldn’t leave him.

Now I’m not sure what happened to this poor creature, but he’s missing a segment-and-a-half of one leg, all his little feet hook thingies are gone and his antennae (not his feeler things) are very short. I’m most worried about the antennae.

He keeps missing things because his antennae are so short, so he gets smaller plants in between his claws constantly and he freaks out. I’m most worried that when he tries to interact with my other crabs he’ll freak out. I only have one crab who isn’t moulting so I introduced them and my smaller crab (Lucia) didn’t mind the new guy (Ollivander), but Ollivander seemed nervous because he couldn’t feel Lucia until she was touching him. He opened his big claw so I broke it up. He’s massive with an even bigger claw so my little Lucia would be done if he did try to pinch her. Should I be worried? Will he get used to her?

[purplepincher]

they will get used to each other after a while, but for now i would iso him until he decides to molt. i think they can regenerate antenna?

just keep them seperate until he feels comfertable, or at least molts. also, i rescued a crab with a missing claw, leg, and half leg so that is no biggie.

[RiNiKy506]

He should be ok, I’ve had a couple that were missing pieces of their legs, or a whole leg. Dip him in warm freshwater(dechlorinated) to rinse him off, it rinses any unfamiliar smells off of them, or you can just put him in your freshwater pool when you add him to your habitat. I’m not sure how they grow their antenna back, my Salty was missing one of hers and only half of it came back when she molted. I’m not sure if the whole thing is supposed to grow back or if it grows back a little each time they molt. Just keep an eye on them for any aggressive behavior but he should be ok.

[wodesorel]

Antenna can grow back in one go, but because they are tiny they are hard to shed and can break off again while molting.

It sounds like he is in desperate need of a good molt. He should be okay with your others but if you can isolate him until he's done it's never a bad idea!

[purplepincher]

has he changed shells yet?

[Sage_Exotics]

Thank you everybody! He was ok with Lucia after, he even let her climb on him. A gentle giant. He hasn’t changed shells yet, but I’m hoping he will soon. Poor guy. Just realized he’s missing an entire leg on the other side. He really likes to just sit the saltwater dish. I would isolate him but the only other tank I have is a 15 gal that’s in rougher shape than he is, I just bought him while picking up crickets so he wasn’t expected. I might be able to pull together an iso using the spare tank but I’m not sure. I’ll see if he digs soon.

[purplepincher]

i hope he pulls through!

[AwesomeHermit]

I hope he molts! Do you have any pictures of him?