HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Since I've had them my crabs have usually been okay to each other. Sometimes they hang around each other, but usually kept to themselves for the most part. I was surprised when a week+ ago they started sleeping together next to the heat pad (before it was in a part of the tank they didn't hang around much, but I rearranged the stuff.) It isn't a temperature issue, so I just assumed they liked being warmer when they slept? Then a couple days ago only one crab, my larger one was sleeping by himself. I didn't think much about it until I saw one crab wander over near the pad and was pushed away!

He is a little larger than my other crabs, with a giant shell about twice the size of the others' shells (roughly the size of a half-dollar). He didn't hurt the crab, just pushed him in his shell until he was a few inches away. Since then I've added another heat pad but nobody seems interested in it. They only like the one heat pad. I've even tried moving the bully away, or moving the others to the new heat pad, but they always wander back.

What should I do? Should I move the heat pad out of their reach? Will he start bullying the others over food and water? Should I take him out of the tank altogether? I have 5 crabs (one is in ISO molting right now) and a 29 galleon tank.

Honestly I wouldn't worry about it- they are probably re-establishing the pecking order with the one being removed. As long as nobody is vocal and being hijacked out of the shell I think it is fine. Do you have enough shells for them?

Edit: could be a male/female thing as well.
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Ah, okay. I've just heard stories of crabs becoming territorial and killing the other crabs and I wanted to prevent that best I could. I have around 15 shells in the big tank right now, with a few extras I keep out so I can switch them every few weeks.

The HCA recommends 3-5 shells per crab. I personally recommend more. One can never have too many shells. Check out the shell guide so you buy the preferred ones though


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FeelingCrabby wrote:Ah, okay. I've just heard stories of crabs becoming territorial and killing the other crabs and I wanted to prevent that best I could. I have around 15 shells in the big tank right now, with a few extras I keep out so I can switch them every few weeks.

Usually when crabs become mean/aggressive there is a reason.

I second the "as many shells as you can" idea. You can also rotate them out so they have "new" ones every so often.




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Has long as they aren't aiming for body parts I wouldn't worry. They could like where the other heat pad is located as it is warm and dark. Regardless, keep and eye but don't worry too much.

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