Crab Attacking Other Tank Mate

[jdepung]

I have a major issue - I have had my crabs for 5 years, and they have gotten along well. I cleaned their tank Sunday and put new sand etc, and now one keeps attacking the other! She keeps making this loud noise when he comes at her, and I am worried he will hurt her. Help!

[jdepung]

I can't put him near her, or he attacks her, and I don't have an extra tank. I am so scared he will hurt her.

[CallaLily]

What exactly is he doing? More detail of their behavior will help us determine what may be going on.

[jdepung]

Every Time he even sees her, he rushes over and puts his body on top of hers and latches on all around her shell. I believe he even flips her over onto her back and pinches her. I have seen this happening since Sunday, and see a few nicks in her red color, so I think he is hurting her. I have no way to separate them, since I only have one light, tanks, heater, etc. I am going to have to re home him if this keeps up and I have had him for 5 years he's huge and gorgeous.

[Rawrgeous]

Sounds like a shell fight for me....maybe more shells might calm the aggression?

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[The Franckinator]

Fill this out if you have time:

1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it?

2. Do you have gauges in the tank to measure temperature and humidity? If so, where are they located and what temperature and humidity do they usually read?

3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?

4. What types of water are available (fresh or salt) and how is the water treated (what brands of dechlorinator or salt mix and what ratio is used to mix it)?

5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?

6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known?

7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen?

8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing?

9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?

10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any?

11. Have there been any fumes or chemicals near the crabitat recently?

12. How often do you clean the tank and how?

13. Are sponges used in the water dish? If so, how are they cleaned?

14. Has anything new been added to your crabitat recently?

15. Is there any other information you would like to share that might be helpful (anything that is regularly part of your crab care, playtime, bathing, etc.)?

16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.

[The Franckinator]

You might have to make an emergency ISO if you're really that concerned. But in the mean time fill out that questionnaire and keep your eyes posted on this site and on the crabs whenever you can.

[mool]

In the meantime, give them both a good dunking in your freshwater pool. It will help them smell the same and for some reason the insult of being dunked often calms the aggression.

[soilentgringa]

Hi! This is Sarah from the Talk Page. We'd been chatting earlier on FB. I think you have a good idea now about what kinds of shells to get so just stock up and provide plenty and your fighting should come to an end.