Aegla Updates ~
After buying the Aeglas, I received a larger one, with two large, equally sized claws, and a smaller one, with medium claw and a slightly smaller claw. Excluding the short period of time after acclimation when I was able to watch them wander into the plants, I haven't seen the smaller Aegla, only the larger one. All of my Aegla photos are actually of just the larger one, because it has been much more "active". Considering that I hadn't seen the other Aegla even once since acclimating it, I had the suspicion that it had passed, but I never wanted to admit it.
When I checked on Gary a few minutes ago (something I do 3-4 times after the lights turn off, just because I like watching him), I discovered Invert Fest 2017. I must have missed the invitation. The large Aegla, lonesome CRS, both Nerites, 1/4 of the Ramshorns, and, thankfully, the smaller Aegla were all out of hiding. I was relieved to know that the smaller Aegla had just avoided daylight for a month and wasn't dead.
I was surprised to see that the smaller, less "active" Aegla was completely out of hiding, and was resting on the Monte Carlo. The larger, more active Aegla was actually the one hiding this time, in his usual spot; wedged between the right side of the tank and the Monte Carlo.
Note - The reason I say "active" and "hiding" are relative is because for Aegla, "hiding" is avoiding contact with any non-photosynthetic organisms and light for a month, not just swimming in couple stems of Rotala (like shy tetras might do). Being "active" usually means being visible from at least one angle (but usually no more than 3), or at least this is what it means in my experience. The "active" Aegla usually stays wedged between the Monte Carlo and the right side of the tank, and once in the same position but at the back of the tank. In my experience, this is active, as the Aegla usually hides here, but since it doesn't move often, it's visible for most of the day.
Onto the (more) exciting news ~
A couple days ago the larger Aegla molted. This will be the first documentation of Aeglas molting
with pictures. The Aegla became less "active" than usual (an almost impossible task), allowing snails to crawl on it, acting as if it just stopped caring. It had also become somewhat pink in color, rather than the usually deep brown. It's easy to see the color difference when comparing the before and after photos.
I don't have pictures of the Aegla molting, but I do have before and after pics, and pics of the molt, the most anyone has so far.
Pictures from tonight, during Invert Fest 2017:
Big Aegla; he did a full half turn for me, so he got a cube of blood worms for that trick:
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The lonesome CRS, although I plan to get some friends for him soon:
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And small Aegla:
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Probably what everyone is most anxious for; molting pics:
Before molting, notice the pinkish tint, almost rust-like:
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After molting, notice how the Aegla has the normal, deep brown coloration:
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And the molt itself:
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Aegla back out of the shell from the tail, which leaves almost no damage to the molt, so the only way to tell the difference between the Aegla and the molt is the color. Otherwise they look identical.