Introducing new crabs?

[Eholna]

Hi everyone! I'm a new crab mom who inherited a couple of unwanted crabs and I've been reading through your forums to educate myself on how to help them live their best life.

Long story short, one of the crabs immediately buried himself as soon as I got them onto a sand substrate. Now the other crab is alone. I have found two more adoptable crabs that I am getting tomorrow but then it occurred to me... is there a good way to introduce crabs to each other? Or do you just put the new ones in and see what happens? What are signs of bullying and what should I do if that occurs?

Thank you so much for reading! If these questions have already been answered, sorry for posting twice, and please direct me to the correct resource.

[curlysister]

Many of us give all the crabs (old and new) a quick dip into the fresh water. That way they all smell the same, and nobody seems like an 'intruder'.

[Eholna]

Thank you! I did that and they haven't attacked each other but also they aren't hanging out at all. They keep to themselves. One is much larger than the other, could this be a factor?

[curlysister]

Some crabs hang in groups and some don't - it does not mean anything is wrong. What used to be thought of as social behavior is now known to be more a matter of resource sharing.