Ripper in the pond

[tugo]

2 weeks ago I have added 2 male and 1 female cambarus to my koi pond. They seemed to be happy in the following days, till I found one of them ripped, laying on the pond floor.

Since my largest koi is not more than 8”, could that be the concequence of an internal cambarus fight?

Also I cannot say if still I have a female or not, since I don't know how to spot.
Need your comments. Thanks

 

[Muske]

Do you have a fenced yard?

Maybe a cat, coon, or other varmit. Crayfish here are known to be territorial, so most likely a fight over the lady.

 

[Fatmantechno]

I can't really tell real well but are you positive that its not just molting? Mine used to do that and freak me out everytime I would come home and find it. Sneaky ones too, they like to crawl out and dry themselves too.

 

[tugo]

Thanks muske and fatmantechno, for your comments.
No fences but also seems no intruders have only sea birds around but now they cannot land on the pond because of the plants around.
Actually have not seen any molted crayfish before, does that happen with all the hands,pincers etc included? Was some fleshy rest attached to the skin pieces also.
Most probably it should be a fight for the lady then.?
I wish I still have the lady surviving, though I have counted 2 left after the happening, cannot say which is male or female.
Hope to see some babies after winter.
And also have to search and learn more about molting, it is new for me.
Thanks again.

 

[Muske]

That ripper looks pretty ripped up....

If it is a molt, it should only be the outside skin(exoskeleton) w/o any flesh inside.

 

[tugo]

Now I wonder which sex of two, left behind. Have to wait for spring I believe, if any babies or not.)

 

[synodontisjack]

you sometimes get a little rubbery skin stuff binding the shell togrther when they shed, i cant tell from the pic though.