The Cats That Got The Crab

Picture the scene... in I come from work, looking forward to kisses and cuddles with my babies, when I realise that the towel on the radiator in the spare room has fallen off the wall. In I go to hang it back up, when I realise most of my washing has 'fallen' i.e been battered, off my clothes dryer, so I go to pick all of that up and I see what looks like an enormous tropical spider on the floor.
I panic, and run out of the room. I grab a glass so I can bravely capture the spider then go downstairs and get the neighbour to dispose of it for me. What do I see on closer inspection? This spider, is infact, a Red Thai Crab from my tropical fish tank, lying on it's back looking like the most evil thing you've ever seen.
I put the glass over it anyway (just incase) and go in search of clues. The fish tank lid has not moved, theres no sign of a break in? How did this happen?
I have got absolutely no idea but I'd imagine that this has been the fate of the other 3 crabs we used to have in the tank that mysteriously disappeared.
I am guessing that this crab did not escape and make it out the bedroom, across the hall and right over the other side of the spare bedroom without being pawed and malled and kicked to a sad and sorry end by 2 mean old cats
I wish they could tell me what happened!
Rest in Peace Mr. Crab, sorry about my cats behaviour.

That's just too funny! I can just imagine you going into your house to find that poor crab. Me, I wouldn't have even dared going near it if I had thought it was a spider!!!

Maybe one day you will find out what happened.

Oh too bad you didn't have a video camera set up, that is too much!!!

You'd be surprised how far they can actually go, even with a cat or two on their claws.
We've found snails in the livingroom, but we know the cats "helped" them get there when they get out of the tank because they curl up into their shells and then the cats think" oh a playtoy I've never seen before!" Lost some fish that way, They'd jump out and flip into the living room where we'd be watching tv or playing video games. It was crazy and we couldn't believe what we were seeing! (before we learned to cover the tanks because they tend to jump out even with the lids on. They jump where they can.) Darn escape artists!
Luckily the cats won't eat them. Otherwise a trip to the vet may be in their futures! LOL!

I am still in shock, and a little bit creeped out as, like I said, we used to have 4 crabs. I have visions of finding the rest when I move the furniture.
I am too scared to remove it just now. I don't know what to do with it? Its too disgusting to touch (yet it was so pretty in the tank...) but I can't leave it there. OH isn't back until the weekend and I think it's just a little unreasonable to leave it there until then

Poor little crab!! I can just imagine the kitties playing with it until it died!

I can just imagine your face when you saw it! I don't think I'd be too keen on 'dealing with it' either!

Poor little crabby! RIP

Just count to 10 take a deep breath, think of something else and go for it. Otherwise you'll stress over it all day .....I have a fishy story - When I was around oh 11 or so, I had a fish tank in my room (We have an 80 gallon,two 10 gallons, and multiple bettas)...It had a lid and everything on it....I was vaccuming my room one afternoon and in my floor almost hidden underneath the footboard of my bed was a dead Molly. I have NEVER been more freaked out in my life! (Except when Velvet decapitated my pet gerible....but that's another story). I screamed bloody murder!!!! I HATE the site of dead fish- absolutely hate it....omg, and especially when they still have eyes like in the fish markets....it's soooo creepy - it looks like they're staring at you! Uhhhh! Needless to say, it was a really bizare and disturbing site. Lol, that fishy hitched a ride on the porceline
(sp?) express. To this day I can't stand to touch fish- it creeps me out....If mine jump out of the tank when i'm cleaning them out (my bettas are jumpers)...I scream, put gloves on, and throw them back in the tank while yelling the entire time. I love to look at fish- but I refuse to touch them....It all stems from that dead Molly incedent lol.....Hopefully you will be able to dispose of the crab when you muster enough courage up . I'm sure your furbabies will be happy to assist.....RIP little crab!

Nikki thats a funny story Sorry i shouldnt laugh. I know what you mean, if one dies and Im alone here I have to just leave it. Usually the other fish devour it anyway but Mark says you're meant to get them out as their bodies leak some wierd stuff Oh well..
anyway, I have disposed of Mr. Crab. I was in the kitchen and noticed one of his arms on the floor and realised enough is enough this guy has to leave with some dignity. So I put my marigoldes on (dish washing gloves) and put several carrier bags over my hand and then went and picked him up and turned the bags inside out. I then put the whole thing in the bin and vacuumed the whole house incase there were any other limbs lying around.
I'm definately going to be checking under the covers tonight before I get into bed

Originally Posted by Pombina

I'm definately going to be checking under the covers tonight before I get into bed

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Probably a really good idea!

Oh...poor Mr. Crab...and poor you. You're very brave for sparing him some dignity and picking him up. (I'm not sure I could have.)

That's why I don't have fish. They wouldn't stand a chance with Tailer in the house.

RIP Mr Crab I'm with you Lauren, I'd seriously be wondering where the others' final resting places are any strange smells lately??

Originally Posted by Pombina

Nikki thats a funny story

Sorry i shouldnt laugh. I know what you mean, if one dies and Im alone here I have to just leave it. Usually the other fish devour it anyway but Mark says you're meant to get them out as their bodies leak some wierd stuff

Oh well..
anyway, I have disposed of Mr. Crab. I was in the kitchen and noticed one of his arms on the floor and realised enough is enough this guy has to leave with some dignity. So I put my marigoldes on (dish washing gloves) and put several carrier bags over my hand and then went and picked him up and turned the bags inside out. I then put the whole thing in the bin and vacuumed the whole house incase there were any other limbs lying around.
I'm definately going to be checking under the covers tonight before I get into bed

Click to expand...

It's funny now- but when i was little- it was horrifying!!!!! I can't stand the site of dead fish lol.... You crack me up! Glad you took my glove suggestion. I would have vaccumed the entier house too lol

Poor crabby!!!!

I had 2 goldfish in a tank in my room when I was a kid and 2 cats. One day I got home from school and there was only 2 fish! There was a lid on the tank, with only a small gap for the filter, there was no water or signs of a struggle anywhere near the fish tank. Still to this day I have no idea what happened. I figured if the cats ate it, it would've made a mess??

I'm glad you managed to dispose of Mr Crabby in the best way that you could!

I wonder if Mark will be getting any more crabs for the tank?

Kitties,,,,,,,how I'd love to be able to watch them when we're not home huh?

not knowing what red thai crabs looked like i did a google image search...but it only came up with cooked crab dishes

I later found some beautiful pictures of these crabs & they really do look like scary evil tropical spideys!! (although pretty stunning)
you're so brave for heading back into the room to get it!! me?! not a chance!!

RIP little crabby friend

They are really pretty but when they are turned upside down they have black stomachs, hence me thinking it was a spider. Oh it still gives me shivers now. Why is it that you know when they are dead there is nothing they can do to you, yet you are scared of them?

that would have freeked the crap out of me.

I think cats like slow moving things in aquariums, picture this in your head, I hear a noise and decide to inversigate. I arive downstairs to see my 2 cats playing street hockey on the lenolium with my baby turtle (very puck shaped already) then when I try to grab him Duke grabs him and takes off. I ended up running after Duke for abour 1 hour and 300 "C'mere Cat!"s later I found the turtle covered in fur on the bottom step to the basement. He was fine.