Crab Punching behavior

[DancingCorgi]

So I'm just wondering about the behavior of my new crab, since everything else has been fine.
He/she destressed under the substrate for a while when I got him and now he's been hanging out on the surface with one of my other crabs, Rory. They seem to be getting along fine. Except a couple of times now, when Rory has gotten close to my new crab (Craig as I call him) he punches him! The first time he more shoved him sideways, but just now he took both of his front claws and punched at Rory several times with them together.
Is this just a defensive move? So far this is the only violent looking interaction, there has been no shell grabbing or anything

[courtbri]

May just be establishing boundaries or roles? Telling Rory he is not a pushover and doesn't want to be bothered? I'm interested to hear others input.


Crabbing for 4 years-still obsessed! 5 total crustacean kids. Gave up trying to tell them apart but I love them all.

[Crabinski]

Certainly sounds like a pecking order thing, even though Craig is the new crab and Rory the established crab. All of my crabs coexist fairly amicably but Felix (aka the King of the Tank) lets the other three know when they're "getting in his face", so to speak, by charging or shoving the offending crab. He does this regardless of the size of the other crab.

[CallaLily]

Yes, definitely a dominance thing. It shouldn't lead to anything to worry about.