Crab Socializing? Pecking order? Aggression?

[Emily]

I think that my two crabs are establishing a pecking order. It wasn't quite aggression. But my female Monchy and my male Gloria were at the entrance of their cave, Monchy backed Gloria into the cave, not quite sure if Monchy just wanted to go in the cave.

So Gloria backed in, circled backwards around the cave as Monchy advanced and Gloria backed up out of the cave and left.

Monchy clearly was advancing, but I'm not sure of her intentions.
There was almost NO physical touching, just feelers.
I've heard of socializing and crabs establishing and order. But I've never seen it, is this what I'm looking at!?

Thanks!

[CrabbyMom33]

That does sound like some dominance being established. It's great when they can work it out just with feelers and minor pushing and nothing more assertive.

[CallaLily]

Yep. Feeler fights, shoving matches, I've even seen old crabs coming up and sort of standing on or over a new crab for a bit and then walk away. Oh and my favorite, when bigger crabs flick littler crabs away from the food dish. They're almost lazy about it. I've also witnessed smaller crabs watching and waiting from a distance for their "turn" at the food dish.

[Emily]

This is so cool!
I'm a little bit worried about Gloria, he's smaller than the other crab, not by much but I think Monchy is bullying him a bit, though I'm not sure why. I did separate them once because there was more shoving than I'd like to see. I don't think Monchy wants his shell, considering their size difference Gloria's shell wouldn't fit.
Is it plausible that they both think they are dominant and they are duking it out?
Keep in mind my other crabs are completely untouched. It's just between these two.
My other crab little Shelly in the corner is untouched. And holy jeez is she super red or what! <3 Love PP's colours.