Does A Panther Crab Eat It's Discarded Shell?

[vcmtik]

Hi everyone.

I can't seem to find any info about this creature on the web.

I bought a Panther crab three weeks ago. Today I notice that "Yoda" has shed it's shell. Does it eat it's shell or do I need to dispose of it?

Any further info about panther crabs is greatly appreciated as I don't know much about them. Is it possible to identify whether it is male or female?

vcmtik xx

 

[Lund]

Hi everyone.

I can't seem to find any info about this creature on the web.

I bought a Panther crab three weeks ago. Today I notice that "Yoda" has shed it's shell. Does it eat it's shell or do I need to dispose of it?

Any further info about panther crabs is greatly appreciated as I don't know much about them. Is it possible to identify whether it is male or female?

vcmtik xx

Hi there,

Panther crab (Parathelphusa pantherina), Matano Lake in Indonesia

To answer your question; the shell is now no more than a souvenir! In response to your other question about determining the sex of the crab. I have been led to believe that the male has a narrower pouch/abdomen than a female of the same species.

Temperature range: 20 -28 degrees
PH: High (8)

They generally live totally underwater, however make sure the tank is covered as they are known to escape!

HTH