Porcelain crab losing limbs

[monicalooze]

Hi all, just added a porcelain crab to my 10gal tank. It shares the tank with a tailspot blenny, an ocellaris, and a cleaner shrimp.

The crab lost both claws, and all legs on one side over the last couple days. It was added to my tank less than a week ago. It appears to be filter feeding, but I don't think it can move from the underside of the rock anymore. I know they lose limbs, but this seems quite excessive. Think it'll make it? Should I keep an eye on it or remove it now to prevent an ammonia spike if it dies? Also, I'm a beginner for reference.

Parameters:
Ph: 7.8
Temp: 76.8
Salinity: 35ppt
Nitrate: 2ppm
Alkalinity: 9.5dkh
Phosphate: .05ppm

 

[ScottR]

They do this as a way to protect themselves when threatened. Usually they do this when added to a new tank. They will regenerate after molting. May take a few molts to grow new ones.

 

[monicalooze]

They do this as a way to protect themselves when threatened. Usually they do this when added to a new tank. They will regenerate after molting. May take a few molts to grow new ones.

So even though it lost almost all its legs, it'll be ok?

 

[vetteguy53081]

So even though it lost almost all its legs, it'll be ok?

Scott is correct and yes, it will replace every leg/limb at molt. Its natures' miracle

 

[monicalooze]

Found the poor thing upside down this morning. He was filter feeding yesterday.

There are two possible reasons I can think of: 1. He got stressed from shipping and acclimation to the new tank (I matched salinity and temp acclimated per reef cleaners instructions).
2. my alkalinity climbed a full point over the course of a week between water changes. I'm still trying to figure that out.

I don't want any more live stock to die. Do you think i

My tank:
10g waterbox cube
Tropic Marin pro salt
RODI
Carib sea live sand
Real reef rock (man made)
Barnacle cluster
Filter pad
Carbon
Ceramic bioballs
1 gal AIO refugium with Pom Pom algae
Running for approx 8 weeks, rock and sand cycled for about 2mos before that.
Weekly 25% water change

Livestock:
1 juvenile ocellaris
1 tail spot blenny
1 scarlet skunk cleaner shrimp
1 porcelain crab
A handful of snails

Feeding (alternating):
LRS reef frenzy
Spiraling brine shrimp
TDO pellets
Algae wafers
Phyto

Current Parameters:
Salinity 34.9ppt
Temp: 24.9 C
Ph: 7.9
Alk: 10.3dkh
Phos: .15ppm
Nitrate: 2ppm