How should I introduce a new crab?

[Horsegirl297]

Hi guys! I currently have two crabs that I have owned for four months. I will be getting a third within a week or two and I am wondering about how I should introduce a new crab to the crabitat. How should I introduce the old crabs to the new one and vice versa?

Also I am upgrading to a 20 gallon tank in the summer. Recommendations on brands/shape?

[Xenocrab]

From my experience, this is a controversial topic. My husband and I dip them briefly in salt water so they all smell the same, hence, Les chance of fighting. It has worked perfectly for us and we have never had problems. We rescue and adopt a lot and that's what we do.
Others do not agree at all with this.
I have experienced hostility prior to us employing this method.
I'm sure others will chime in with their own methods.
Take all the opinions into consideration and do what you feel is best. There is no right or wrong. We all want the best for our crabs, and since they can't talk to us, we try to observe and do what we feel is right.
Good luck and congrats on another crab. At Last count, my husband and I have 44 and they all get along just fine.

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[DevilNDisguise]

I do the same as mentioned above; dip them in saltwater. Although I have in the past just added crabs into the habitat and have had no issues as well.

I do a health-check too, as I'm petrified of introducing anything into my enclosure and risking the other crabs. One crab had mites and so he was isolated from the main tank and given daily saltwater baths with a freshwater rinse afterward. Cleared the mites.

Some people recommend keeping them isolated for a period of time before introducing them, while others are strictly against this method. There really isn't a wrong or a right way to do it, just a lot of trial and error and doing what works best for you with your personal experience.

I personally like the isolation idea, but to avoid stressing them out enough as it is, I stick to that method only if the crab has mites, which hasn't been a common occurence for me, luckily. Otherwise, like already mentioned, I simply do the saltwater dip.

[Xenocrab]

Isolation is necessary in some cases, but crabbies are social creatures and we try no to keep them isolated longer than necessary. It all varies from crab to crab. They are all different, just like humans. You can't predict what they are going to do. Just observe them and learn their individual personalities. I know what crabs can be together and who cannot. Mine have a pecking order that I won't disturb!

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[wodesorel]

I dip in fresh, but I'll also isolate for a few days to let them change shells and bulk up on food in peace. It can help make intros go smoother if the new guy isn't raging for a new home and food!