Aggression toward new crab and weird behavior

[TXcrabby022]

I adopted a PP last month and have been keeping him in isolation because when I put him in the larger tank with my two other crabs, one of them (Sandy Claws) goes after the newbie (Shelly) aggressively, grabbing and turning Shelly's shell and causing him to retreat and hide. I put Shelly in the big tank last night, thinking he'd be safe to explore since the other two had been buried for a few days, but S.C. re-emerged! When I checked on them, Shelly was hiding, half-buried under the log, and S.C. was on top of the log. Every time I've put Shelly in the big tank, S.C. has aggressively gone after him. This seems especially weird to us because S.C. is a very shy crab; with us, anyway. Is this behavior a reason to continue to keep them separate? Also, the new crab is pretty inactive, often hanging out in one spot for the whole day in his isolation tank. He does eat and drink regularly, though. Do I just need to leave them together long enough to sort things out amongst themselves? And how on earth did Sandy Claws detect Shelly's quiet presence in the large tank?? TIA, crabbers!

[cHorse]

I adopted a PP last month and have been keeping him in isolation because when I put him in the larger tank with my two other crabs, one of them (Sandy Claws) goes after the newbie (Shelly) aggressively, grabbing and turning Shelly's shell and causing him to retreat and hide. I put Shelly in the big tank last night, thinking he'd be safe to explore since the other two had been buried for a few days, but S.C. re-emerged! When I checked on them, Shelly was hiding, half-buried under the log, and S.C. was on top of the log. Every time I've put Shelly in the big tank, S.C. has aggressively gone after him. This seems especially weird to us because S.C. is a very shy crab; with us, anyway. Is this behavior a reason to continue to keep them separate? Also, the new crab is pretty inactive, often hanging out in one spot for the whole day in his isolation tank. He does eat and drink regularly, though. Do I just need to leave them together long enough to sort things out amongst themselves? And how on earth did Sandy Claws detect Shelly's quiet presence in the large tank?? TIA, crabbers!

Wow, Sandy Claws is the most awesome name for a hermit crab I've ever heard! I wish I'd thought of that lol.

I'm not sure about your situation, but if I were you I'd dip them both in one of the pools (so they smell the same), put them in either side of the tank and watch them. I would'nt interfere with them, as long as S.C. is'nt trying to pull Shelly out of her shell with force. Hopefullt S.C. is just tryng to show dominance, and won't harm Shelly. But keep a close eye until they really seem to have calmed down and are acting chill with eachother. If S.C. is grabbing Shellys limbs I would take her out again and try again in a week or two. (but that's just me ).

[TXcrabby022]

Ha! CHorse, I can't take credit for the name; that was my son's idea. I will give your idea a try when they are out and about again. Thanks!

[YYWW]

Shelly sounds like he is trying to molt, eating and acting lethargic. I woukd let him molt in ISO, if possible, so he can have a fighting chance.
Are they similarly sized? SC might actually rip Shelly out, which you REALLY won't want to deal with.
In the meantime try to feed more protein and calcium in case SC is having some bloodlust.


Crabbers unite!!!

[TXcrabby022]

Thanks, YYWW; I will leave Shelly in place for a bit in his ISO tank, since that's where he seems to want to be anyway. Shelly is a bit larger than S.C.; it is amusing to see our little "scaredy crab" going after a larger crab with such determination. As my son says, S.C. may be interested in Shelly's painted shell; in his last molt he buried himself with Hermy's beautiful pearly shell and we were surprised to suddenly see Hermy in a new shell. That crab has his fashion priorities!

I was wondering about supplementing their diet. Currently they're getting lots of fresh fruit and cooked veggies, plus egg and eggshell. The substrate is a mixture of calcium sand, coconut fiber and play sand. Cuttlebone was recommended as a calcium supplement, but I love cuttlefish too much to do that! I'd welcome any other suggestions for how to provide more protein and minerals in their diet.

Thanks again, y'all! Really appreciating this forum!

[YYWW]

Offering dried shrimp is good for calcium. You can also offer shrimp tails, crushed oyster shells, and bought calcium supplement. I THINK coral also offer calcium, but don't quote me on that. Some crabbers offer chicken and fish bones from dinner but i find that stuff smells GGGRRRROOOOSSSSSS in a hot and humid tat. I might try dehydrating the bones and retrying.
Have we talked about calcium sand? I don't want to be that broken record, if we already have..


Crabbers unite!!!

[YYWW]

Offering dried shrimp is good for calcium. You can also offer shrimp tails, crushed oyster shells, and bought calcium supplement. I THINK coral also offer calcium, but don't quote me on that. Some crabbers offer chicken and fish bones from dinner but i find that stuff smells GGGRRRROOOOSSSSSS in a hot and humid tat. I might try dehydrating the bones and retrying.
Have we talked about calcium sand? I don't want to be that broken record, if we already have..


Crabbers unite!!!

Btw cuttlebones are given to birds, you can just use a piece of that.


Crabbers unite!!!

[CallaLily]

For protein, unseasoned meat, poultry, or seafood. Nuts. You can find freeze dried or frozen crickets, bloodworms, mealworms, shrimp, etc in the reptile or fish section of pet stores. For calcium, egg shell, crushed oyster shells, or calcium powders sold in the reptile section. Here's Kilimanjaro's Guide to Hermit Crab Nutrition, if you haven't read it yet.

[TXcrabby022]

Thanks for the ideas! Going to track down some of the freeze-dried shrimp, crickets, etc. Since the humans in my household are vegetarian, we don't have much besides eggshells in the way of high-calcium content foods. The Kilimanjaro page is awesome; also going to check out the Food and Water forum section. And now you have me wondering about calcium sand. Time for more research!

[CallaLily]

You can also find great hermit crab foods here: http://www.hermitcrabpatch.com/Pet-Herm ... ts-s/3.htm. Avoid the FMR hermit crab food but the rest are safe. Also Alaska Hermit: http://alaskahermit.com/shop/.

[YYWW]

Calcium sand will cement and get the crab stuck in or to the shell. You can "dilute" it by mixing with play sand or EE, but you might want to add more sand and EE if it seems clump-able.


Crabbers unite!!!

[TXcrabby022]

Ah, good to know. Thanks again!