HCA: Hermit Crab Association

So, My molters finally came up and I was able to move my little buddies into my new 55 gallon. ... Well, something's not right. Zilla, the poor big guy that came with my tank, is up to no good! I was finally able to find shells big enough for Zilla. He's changed twice. He somehow managed to squeeze his large self into the cocohut... And dug a big ol hole inside. Then I realized, none of the other crabs will go near the cocohut. That's very odd because Cletus switches between the one log and the cocohut every night. I ignored it though, I figured he's doing his thing, whatever. I now have 5 crabs down. And even though they have plenty of room, they all seem to have dug down around the same general area. Again, I ignored it. I figured they know what they're doing. Then I noticed Pip is missing a leg!!
Then I woke up yesterday to all my crabs ON TOP of the log, or on the side, against it. None of them were IN the log. When I moved the "privacy wall", (cardboard wrapped in foil I lay on the outside, against the side that faces my kitchen) ... I noticed Zilla was in the log. Just Zilla. Now this morning I woke up and again, Zilla is in the log, nobody else is... Except this time, there is a giant hole next to the log, where Zilla had obviously been digging last night. Here's the problem... That's pretty much where my molters are. I have 7 inches of playsand substrate, right consistency.
My temp and humidity stay at 78-80(temp)/82-84(humidity) They get fruit and peanut butter regularly. I have a dish of All Living Things Pellet food that I'm just trying to use the rest of, and it stays in there. I also give them flukers crickets dusted with calcium. Nobody should be attacking anyone. I have no idea what the deal is. I never, and I mean never see Zilla move. No matter what time of day or night. I dont understand why Pup lost a leg all of a sudden. I dont understand why none of the other crabs will hide with Zilla anymore. (They did in the old tank) and I dont understand why if Zilla is nonliterary in the hut, why won't anyone else use it? I've thought about adopting Zilla out... But I'm hesitant because I feel bad, but if he's a danger to my other crabs.... Idk. Has anyone had something like this happen?? I've only had him since the beginning of December. He was the first of two adoptions I did last month. He was supposed to come with a friend, but the friend died before I picked them and the tank up. Now I'm wondering what caused the other crab to die... They were in terrible conditions though.

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No matter where they dig down from the surface once they go under they could be anywhere-they don't necessarily end up where they start. I don't worry about crabs eating molters because I know I have deep substrate, feed protein daily, and they aren't overcrowded. If you're good in those areas I wouldn't worry about it too much.

As far as why nobody seems to like to be around poor little Cletus anymore I couldn't say other than to speculate it's what he wants. He might be doing things to chase them off. He could have buried food there he's guarding, or be pre-molt and be "grumpy."

landlubber wrote:No matter where they dig down from the surface once they go under they could be anywhere-they don't necessarily end up where they start. I don't worry about crabs eating molters because I know I have deep substrate, feed protein daily, and they aren't overcrowded. If you're good in those areas I wouldn't worry about it too much.

As far as why nobody seems to like to be around poor little Cletus anymore I couldn't say other than to speculate it's what he wants. He might be doing things to chase them off. He could have buried food there he's guarding, or be pre-molt and be "grumpy."

That is true... I'm pretty sure one of my guys dug clear across the tank. So, that's a relief.
With Pip missing a leg and the other Hermie's preferring to sit out in the open rather than go anywhere Zilla has been, I was getting suspicious. I'm normally not concerned about my molters either, I just wanted to be safe rather than sorry.
I honestly can't tell if he's going to molt soon. I haven't actually seen his actually body since he switched into a shell that fits. And by fits, I mean too big. Lol. When he's in his shell you can barely see him.
Do you think I should ISO him in my 25g in case he is getting ready to molt? He's digging some serious holes. I dont want to cause him unnecessary stress though.
I wish he'd come out so I could get a picture.
Thank you for replying. I really appreciate it.

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Mystery is solved. I just went to check on them and Zilla in down. I moved the "privacy wall" and I seen his feet moving around. He would molt under my log hide.

Still not sure what happened to Pip, but at least I know they're fine.

Thanks again!

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Look who popped back up to wreak havoc... All hairy and posing pretty.




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AND, I know about the pellet food guys. Its not the harmful kind, they're kind of obsessed with it actually, I have other food in the tank as well, and I'm still just trying to use it up. Its lasting forever.

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