Sudden attack?

[TXcrabby022]

My larger PP is on top of the smaller one's shell, apparently trying to pull the small guy out, and I can hear "chirping". Yesterday I saw them having a bit of a claw fight. Nothing new going on in the crabitat, aside from last month's refreshing of substrate and addition of moss and salt water immersion pool. Temp and humidity are 80 degrees and 80%, respectively. The little guy has been out more recently (he's usually hiding during the day) and seems to be trying to find a way out. Any ideas what could be up? Is this normal? I've had these two for a couple of years and they've always gotten along well.

[KellyCrabbieLove]

He is on him right now!? You could try giving them both baths and put them on opposite sides of the tank. If it continues you may need to iso the big guy for a bit and try putting him back in. Keep a close eye on them either way. Attacks are often deadly.

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[TXcrabby022]

Thanks, KellyCrabbieLove. I went back and checked on them after typing my post and found the big guy (BG) on top of the little guy (LG) in the water dish, holding onto LG's shell and turning it back and forth (maybe trying to wedge his claws into LG's shell?). I took them out and put them into the dry bathtub and BG continued to hold on to LG's shell, so I took them into the bedroom and put them on the bed. That provided enough of a distraction that BG let go and they both explored the bed for a while. When I put them back in the tank, BG ran to hide and LG stayed out, searching for a way to scale the glass walls (this is a reversal of their typical roles). I will certainly keep an eye on them! And ISO BG if he goes on the offensive again.

[KellyCrabbieLove]

Will you post pictures of the 2 of them for size comparison? If close enough the big guy may have decided he wants a smaller shell and wants his. Crabs are known to change into smaller shells before going down to molt - not all of them but it is pretty common. If he is trying to go down to molt and really wants it that could be why he is doing it.

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[TXcrabby022]

KellyCrabbieLove, I tried to copy a photo into my post but it didn't work. Sorry, but I've never done this before and I'm not exactly the most computer savvy person in the world! They are about a half inch apart in size, so big guy's current shell opening is 1.75 inches across and little guy's is 1.25 inches. BG has been switching shells a lot lately and we've joked about calling him Imelda; he has quite a collection! After trying to climb the walls for a while last night, LG buried himself and came up again this afternoon. I heard him chirping and saw BG was at it again, apparently trying to pry him out. No grabbing of limbs, though; just sort of wedging his claws into the shell. I took LG out and let him wander under my son's supervision while I prepared a smaller tank for him, so now they are apart. I was wondering if the aggression might have a dietary cause, too. Going to seek out some freeze-dried krill later and see what happens. These crabbies certainly keep one on one's feet!

[TXcrabby022]

Update: after a night of separation, they seem to be getting on well again. Maybe they missed each other? Fingers crossed peace has returned for good.