shell theif (introducing new crab)

Where we discuss the behavior of our hermit crabs, as in fights, pecking orders, shell swaps, etc. Please post all naked-crab posts in the Emergency forum.
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bocandi bootlegged
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shell theif (introducing new crab)

Post by bocandi bootlegged » Tue Jul 21, 2020 11:13 pm

so here is the rundown,
(new crab is alittle smaller than old crab, both are PP)
-picked up new crab so mine wouldnt be lonely/ to give it a better home
-placed in tank
-new crab immediately upgraded shell to a non-painted one which was also bigger (lets call it shell A, the big one)
an hour later
-reorganized tank because i wanted to make substrate deeper
-(my mistake) placed crabs in bucket together and did not keep an eye on them
-old crab bullied new crab out of shell A and new crab was naked
-placed old crab in tank along with shell A, then multiple shells, then the new crab, it then found another shell to wear.
-new crab(in a spare shell that looks too big) is now hiding while old crab is shaking shell A back and forth, it is wearing a slightly smaller shell (shell B)
-waiting for old crab to move into shell A and abandon shell B. Hopefully old crab keeps it and new crab can change into shell B.
-its taking a long time for old crab to make up his mind... the shell got alittle wet and now has substrate inside it.. idk if that means he will lose interest or not.
one hour later(update)
they have switched shells. new crab is in shell B and old crab has shell A
-old crab still tackling new crab and trying to steal back shell B
-i dunked both crabs in their saltwater dish

neither are injured

i guess writing about it makes me less nervous lol, but if anyone has any ideas or explanations i would love to hear them. :crabblush:
Last edited by bocandi bootlegged on Wed Jul 22, 2020 1:15 am, edited 4 times in total.

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wodesorel
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Re: shell theif

Post by wodesorel » Wed Jul 22, 2020 12:53 am

Did you give them both a bath? It probably has nothing to do with the shells and instead is a territorial issue. Dunking them in the same water (like the pools!) makes them smell the same. It can help mitigate some aggression.
Want to see all my crazy pets? @waywardwaifs on Instagram

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bocandi bootlegged
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Location: New York

Re: shell theif

Post by bocandi bootlegged » Wed Jul 22, 2020 12:55 am

wodesorel wrote:
Wed Jul 22, 2020 12:53 am
Did you give them both a bath? It probably has nothing to do with the shells and instead is a territorial issue. Dunking them in the same water (like the pools!) makes them smell the same. It can help mitigate some aggression.
Thank you!!! ill try that.

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bocandi bootlegged
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Joined: Sun Jul 19, 2020 7:53 pm
Location: New York

Re: shell theif (introducing new crab)

Post by bocandi bootlegged » Wed Jul 22, 2020 6:15 pm

A day later, they seem ok, but havent moved much, one is still hiding at the top of the tank and the other buried itself

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wodesorel
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Re: shell theif (introducing new crab)

Post by wodesorel » Wed Jul 22, 2020 6:59 pm

That'a not a bad outcome!
Want to see all my crazy pets? @waywardwaifs on Instagram

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