HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Hi all!

I've had the same two hermit crabs for 11 years, Santiago and Dunbar. Unfortunately and super sadly, Dunbar passed away a few days ago. I don't want Santiago to get lonely so I think I need to get him another friend or maybe more......He's had the same pal for 11 years...how are they with getting new friends?? I'd hate to see any territorial kind of fighting as I know any new crab/s I get will likely be younger and smaller. Do they fight or are they accepting of new friends? I don't know because I've had the same two for so long. Nothing I read online is helpful, very contradicting. Santiago is in a 30 gallon tank, for reference.

Thanks!

Dev.

You'll find many discussions about this topic, if you look around on our site.
What used to be thought of as social behavior is now known to be more resource sharing. Crabs do just fine alone, in pairs, or in multiples. So you *can* get more crabs, but you don't *have* to.
If adding new crabs, consider giving both old and new a quick dip into the fresh water so they all smell the same and nobody is seen as an 'intruder'.