HCA: Hermit Crab Association

It's been weeks since I've seen any activity in the old tank, and as I peeked in just before bed, lo and behold there was a crab just walking around! I got hubby and he helped me move him over to the new tank---so now of course I can't sleep! It didn't take long for another crab to discover the newly-moved guy, and they were touching feelers rapidly for quite some time. Then the one guy climbed on top of the new guy and seemed to give him a push---then nothing. They each went on their own way...

Does that sound pretty normal? There didn't seem to be anything aggressive about the exchange...but it still makes me nervous, having him in the new tank, and not being able to watch (gotta get some sleep, though)

Yes... Most likely your "newbie" hermie is just been shown "who is boss". Every time we add a new hermit crab or reintroduce a crab back into the tank; it very common for the existing hermies to display their dominance. Over time a pecking order establish similar to gorillas. (OK I don't know about you guys, but my hermies often remind me of apes...) Anyway, they should be fine after a while & the displays of aggression should die down in a week or two.

We put four new crabs in yesterday after a quick bath and noticed a couple doing the "feeler wave" in each others faces. If you're awake around 2 am and have night bulbs you can sit and watch their antics. I laughed so hard because it looked like they were having a slappy antennae fight. Or when one is changing shells and 2 others are waiting for the shell-not always patiently- I may add, and it looks like the checkout line at the store. Observing your crabs behaviors are amusing and over time you will notice each one's personalities.

Looks like it took about a day or so -- and now it looks like they are old friends again, LOL -- I found them yesterday all sleeping in the leaf pit, huddled all in a row - it was so cool!!

Now just 1 to go! C'mon Hermie - finish molting so I can CLEAR OUT the old tank!!

Yay!!! I hope your molter comes up quickly! I still have two in the old tote... It's been almost two months so I'm hopeful it will be soon! Don't you just look forward to having one tank to keep up?? I forgot what that even feels like lol.


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Yes, I look forward to that very much!

Good to know that everything has gone well CrabbySquirrel!
Now, where is the pictures??