@ Ron & Feline,
Well, that crab sly has been through more disaters than I can count!!
I got him when he was very small, unfortunately he lost almost all of his legs except 2 on one side and one on the other when I had him for two months. I didnt know very much about crabs at that time and thought he was dying but I felt so sorry for him, hobbling around the tank like an old man! Unfortunately he couldnt keep his balance on the gravel and kept falling over with his legs wriggling in the air. Everone in the house knew to check him and turn him over when they were passing by!
I had to move him to a 5 Gallon Betta bowl for his own safety as the other crab was harasing him. Of course I did a very stupid thing and put algae destroyer liquid into the small tank which killed the other crab (the one in the avatar)... Luckily after his first moult Sly grew back all the missing legs and was running around again!
They should moult every 6 weeks when they are young and every 2-3 months when older.
He will grow back one claw I think at next moult as he has a large bulge protruding where his claw used to be. This bulge turns brown when the leg/claw is forming inside.
As for hand feeding, I feed him bloodworms and Brine shrimp on a kebab stick, he usually waits at the front of the glass or on top of the wood whn he is hungry. I scoop him out with a little soft net and hold the food in front of his little mouth tools.
Its important not to turn him upside down tho out of water as they release water to keep their gills wet from around the head region.
Hikari tablets for Cory's are a good food for crabs as are bloodworms and some veggies.
Any help I can give, just mail me!
Ken
When he was young ( the day I bought him):