HCA: Hermit Crab Association

curlysister wrote:I have merged your multiple posts into one topic.

sunflower_crabitat wrote: ↑

Wed Aug 09, 2023 5:19 pm

thank you!! i couldn't figure out how to do that, but do you have any advice/can you help?


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KyMart wrote: Hi! I have one question before I give any advice, just to make sure that I understand this clearly! You have had two crabs in the 10 gallon for a while, and now you have a newbie who is smaller, I got that part! The only part I'm confused on is if they are both attacking him or just one crab (a og) is attacking his tank mates. Depending on which of the two it is, my advice changes!

sunflower_crabitat wrote: ↑

Wed Aug 09, 2023 9:27 pm

Yes you've got the first part right (and i'm getting a bigger enclosure soon) it's only the bigger one(phoebe) , my smaller one (Moe) isn't doing anything to the newbie, in fact I think they like each-other! They aren't currently fighting and the little guy (new crab named juniper) has gone away from phoebe and they haven't fought since. There doesn't seem to be any damage or anything so I'm assuming it was just playful or asserting dominance but i'm not sure.


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KyMart wrote: Do you have the cage you got them in? Is it a wire cage or a critter keeper, how big is it? Can you post pics of it in comparison to the 10 gallon?

sunflower_crabitat wrote: ↑

Wed Aug 09, 2023 9:32 pm

it's a critter carrier, I really don't want to isolate them because I don't really have the space for it and my crabs really like their enclosure. It's a one gallon compared to 10 gallon so it's pretty small.


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KyMart wrote: One gallons are hard, Ti is currently in ISO in a 1 gallon critter keeper in the main tank. This is so I can watch his closely, make sure he's is eating a drinking, and make sure that if his big pincher is infected (which is a possibility) he doesn't infect the others with anything bad. Motocrab and me talked, and said that this is the best thing for him right now. He's in the CC with barely any sand, food, water, and extra shells, this is so he can't hide, he has to get his straight to molt, and surface molt in order to be safe, due to his current state. I feel so bad for the little guy, but I know it's what's best for him. If you have to, because the aggression won't shop, you might have to put the aggressor into the CC in the main tank, this will keep the newbie safe, and make sure that the aggressor is still in proper conditions (heat, humidity, etc). It all comes down to what you think is best for your crabs, and if that's what you have to do for two days, that's what you have to do. We all crab differently, but I just wanted to share what I'm doing with my new rescue, because it could help you with your current situation.

sunflower_crabitat wrote: ↑

Wed Aug 09, 2023 9:44 pm

Thank you so much for your input, since the aggression hasn't continued from what I can see but if it does, I will put Phoebe in the CC but if it doesn't continue, then that's great!
That's great, I think it's best to keep Jupiter safe!

I think I'm just worried Phoebe is gonna kill/eat Jupiter but I doubt she will. I actually had never thought of putting the CC inside my current tank to keep the humidity, that's actually a great idea!
I've heard of many other crabber doing this, and it's absolutely genius!

I have a questions about ISO tanks (just for general knowledge) how does isolating them help? From what I've seen and heard, its temporary so how does it stop or limit the behavior? Wouldn't it just continue when you release them back?
Isolation, in this case, would be used to helps them by giving them some "cool down" time, when crabs are first introduced to each other aggression happens, it's just them trying to be "alpha crab", crabs have hierarchies, and it sounds like Phoebe is at the top of it. She could just be trying to show Jupiter who is boss, but it's still not safe, so some time apart to cool Phoebe down, will hopefully improve the behavior! Plus, more space will help, since agression can also be caused by overcrowding (the newbie is so small, I don't think your tank is overcrowded btw), so a tank upgrade will also give them sperate spaces, which will be good! I recommend plenty of hides, and climbing options so if Jupiter needs to hide or "escape" Phoebe, Jupiter can, this will make Jupiter feel much safer!/b]

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KyMart wrote:

sunflower_crabitat wrote: ↑

Wed Aug 09, 2023 9:58 pm

Ah, makes sense, thank you!

Is the rubber-maid bin tank okay to use? It's much cheaper than a tank, but is there any issues with using it?


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KyMart wrote: Like for a tank upgrade, or an iso? For ISO you could use the critter keeper you already have, or a tubbarware that lets heat and humidity in (don't want Phoebe breaking in if you don't have a lid on it), I recommend the ones that have a little thing that snaps off the top of the lid to let air in (sorry, I don't know how else to explain that! )!