Crabs have been together for years now a problem

[Sue1208]

I have 4 hermit crabs, 3 are above the saturate. Seems the last few days 2 are having a problem. The larger of the 2 keeps sitting on the smaller one. He won't let him move. It is very upsetting. I do have a small emergency tank that I put the larger one over night, with 4 or 5 shells. He inspected them but didn't change shells. When I put him back in the 29 gallon tank he seemed fine for about 30 minutes than he was back on top of the smaller on. So I removed the smaller on and put him in with the shells. He also inspected them but didn't change shells. Now I am just separating them when I can. Third crab is just sitting there watching. Neither of them go near him in any way. I don't know what to do. I have contacted the hermit crap patch to see about purchasing more shells, bigger than the last shipment. Any ideas fo what to do before they get here. Or do you know why they are dong this?

Thank you
Sue

[Sue1208]

Oh I just wanted to add that the larger hermit crab looks to big to get into the smaller guys shell. I am not sure who wants who's shell, Or if there is another reason for this behavior. Thank you Sue

[GotButterflies]

Hi Sue! Could you please fill this out to see if there might be something else going on? Thank you!
viewtopic.php?f=27&t=46102

Edit: I also wanted to add that sometimes Michaels, JoAnns, Hobby Lobby have mixed shells that can have 1 or 2 nice shells in them. You can use their 40% off coupons to purchase them, so that makes them more affordable. The stores have apps so you can download the coupon or you can print them off of their website. Each of them accept the other's coupons. Good luck!
shell guide: viewtopic.php?f=24&t=92552

[Sue1208]

I went to Michaels,Joann's, Petsmart, Petco and Pet supples plus today they didn't have any shells big enough or even the kind they like. Today they are still in the same shells but not going after each other. Maybe they were upset with one another. I will still continue to look for more shells. Now that they are bigger it's not as easy to find shells. They seem to go for the D shape turbo shell and they like the smooth and shiny ones.

thank you
Sue

[fandt94]

I went to Michaels,Joann's, Petsmart, Petco and Pet supples plus today they didn't have any shells big enough or even the kind they like. Today they are still in the same shells but not going after each other. Maybe they were upset with one another. I will still continue to look for more shells. Now that they are bigger it's not as easy to find shells. They seem to go for the D shape turbo shell and they like the smooth and shiny ones.

thank you
Sue

Have you looked at some of the shell sites listed in the shopping section? I have found many different kinds, sizes etc.

[Sue1208]

no I always normally go with the hermit crab patch. I will look for the list. thank you