HCA: Hermit Crab Association

I have 3 PP hermit crabs, 2 big and 1 really small one. They all came at the same size, but over the past 3 years the smaller one has barely grown.
My 2 bigger ones have been crowding around the smaller one the past 2 days, but I just caught them stopping the smaller one from changing shells. I'm really confused why because neither of them have ever used that shell before.
I haven't heard any chirping, which I guess is good. Should I take the smaller one out of the tank to change shells and put him back in, or would that make them aggressive towards him?

Hello! Welcome to the HCA! We will be more than happy to help you! How many shells do you have? The HCA recommends 3-4 shells per crab. I personally recommend more. Hermits (depending on your species), have shell preferences. I always have shells the same size and larger available for my crabbies. It would really help us if you could fill out the following questions regarding your tank so we can help you get to the main root of your problem, especially why your small one isn't growing:
http://hermitcrabassociation.com/phpBB/ ... 27&t=46102

GotButterflies wrote:Hello! Welcome to the HCA! We will be more than happy to help you! How many shells do you have? The HCA recommends 3-4 shells per crab. I personally recommend more. Hermits (depending on your species), have shell preferences. I always have shells the same size and larger available for my crabbies. It would really help us if you could fill out the following questions regarding your tank so we can help you get to the main root of your problem, especially why your small one isn't growing:
http://hermitcrabassociation.com/phpBB/ ... 27&t=46102

here's the link to the help request: http://www.hermitcrabassociation.com/ph ... 9&t=113148
I have 9 shells in my tank, all the right size for them to move into next.

I posted a reply to your link
Hermits do have a hierarchy, but I would try spreading your shells around your tank.
Do you know the sexes of your crabbies?

GotButterflies wrote:I posted a reply to your link
Hermits do have a hierarchy, but I would try spreading your shells around your tank.
Do you know the sexes of your crabbies?

No, I'm kind of too scared to hold them to find out. I'll try spreading the shells around my tank and getting a better variety. Do hermit crabs get attached to their old shells? I feel like that may be part of the problem.

Did they recently change shells and you take them out? Or is the smaller one using the other's old shell?
No worries on the sexes, I don't know mine either.

GotButterflies wrote:Did they recently change shells and you take them out? Or is the smaller one using the other's old shell?
No worries on the sexes, I don't know mine either.

The smaller one is trying to move into 2 of the crab's old shells. I was wondering if I took the small crab out and had him change shells outside of the tank, that the others wouldn't hurt him once he was back in the tank.

Have you boiled them since the old crab was in them? I would do that with all of the shells. Once again, I think if you had more of a variety it wouldn't be an issue.

GotButterflies wrote:Have you boiled them since the old crab was in them? I would do that with all of the shells. Once again, I think if you had more of a variety it wouldn't be an issue.

I'll make sure to boil them soon. Thanks for the help!

Yw! Boil with dechlorinated fw, then dip them in dechlorinated marine salt water and they will be a hit! Instant Ocean is a favorite product here on HCA for making marine salt water. Good luck!