Could my Es live with PPs?

[Brooke]

Hello! As some of you may know, I have three Ecuadorians; two are small, and one is teeny. Luckily, these three have always been very amicable towards one another - the only time I've ever observed aggressive behavior was when I first brought them home and they had to sort out their pecking order, but even that was very mild. For the most part, my Es are very peaceful when socializing and have never attempted to disturb a molting counterpart. Based upon this information, do you think it would be safe for me to add a couple of PP friends to their enclosure, or are my three Es perhaps this peaceful just because they belong to the same species? Do any of you crabbers keep PPs and Es together? If so, how is it going for you? Any thoughts would really be appreciated!

[aldebaron0626]

I didn't have much luck keeping PPs and Es together but it may have been because my enclosure was too small for all of them or their conditions weren't quite right. They need a lot of space and need temps and humidity higher toward 85/85 (from what I read).

I understand that many here think that Es need a minimum tank of 30 or 40 gallons and 8-10" of sub.

My two Es, who are still small, live nicely together in my tank that has a footprint equivalent to a 15 gallon. I gave them 9" sub and I have a second level and lots of climbing toys.

Good luck and I hope someone else with more experience successfully housing the two together chimes in.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[aldebaron0626]

I see in another post you have a 20 gallon tall which is also a 15 gallon footprint. I wouldn't add any more crabs especially since you have Es.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Brooke]

Okay, thanks for the information! I won't add anyone else, then. Especially since I don't want to disrupt the nice social structure they have going right now. Maybe one day when I get a much larger tank I can experiment with that. Thank you!

[YYWW]

Agree completely with aldebaron. Es should be in a 40bg or more. I have 3 Es and 2 PPs in a 75 gal and am looking for a 90 gal just for these 5, because i can only fit 6.5 inches of sub with the UTH and i think i need more like 10 inches. Es tunnel a lot, popping up all over. You want to maximize molter space.
My Es also came home teeny. They were like little marbles that transformed into armored spiders! Now, 2-3 molts later, they're small to medium!
You should look for an upgrade before adding PPs. It would REALLY be worth it, and increase your ability to enjoy them.


Crabbers unite!!!

[hermieluv1]

My new 4 E's get along well with the 5 or so PP's I have above ground in my 55 gallon, but yeah, there is a lot of room and tons of sub! But I SO love the E's! They never seem to sleep!

[aldebaron0626]

Hermieluv1 how long have you had them together? How many successful molts?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[hermieluv1]

I have had the 55 gallon up since shortly before Christmas. I have had the pp' s for several months and just added the E's 2 weeks ago. There was the usual "New crab" scuffles but they seem to really be in harmony now. I am a chronic insomniac so I see them interacting several times a night.

[aldebaron0626]

YYWW how long have your PPs and Es lived together? Successful molts?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[YYWW]

Since July 2014, and at least 2 molts per crab. They're all the same size.


Crabbers unite!!!

[aldebaron0626]

So I need a 75 to be successful. I think I've convinced my husband that the 40b will work. It's free. It's the one I set up for my mom. She lost 2 of her larges and put her 2 Es in a 20 gallon. I'm stealing her remaining PP to be Woody's friend.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[YYWW]

If you can have a 75, you'll be better off with a 90 or 110 JUST SAYIN! Its got the same footprint, but taller. I rest my case.
A 40 gb would be sweet to go for, esp free, and then later upgrade from. JUST SAYIN! It'll make a great in short term tank. I squeezed em all into a 25 while rebuilding my 75 and i was having nightmares of crab mass murder. After its all said and done, my usual scraggler is still down molting, and i do wonder if he's still alive



Crabbers unite!!!

[aldebaron0626]

Got the 40... Stole the PP...

[YYWW]

WeeeeeeeEeEeEell, happy 40 gallon


Crabbers unite!!!

[CallaLily]

Some crabbers have had no issue keeping PPs and Es together, others have had trouble (even keeping Es alone in some cases). Keep in mind Es do require more space and deeper substrate. They also need temps to be 80-90F where PPs safe zone is 75-85F. I kept my Es with the PPs for about 4+ years with no obvious or proven issue. I separated for space reasons a year ago. I've had losses but nothing that I could say with 100% certainty was aggression related. Good luck in whatever you decide.