I think my crabs may be getting ready to mate (w/ pics) lol

wolfnipplechips · Post by **wolfnipplechips** » Mon Aug 23, 2010 6:37 pm

I have noticed that a few of my crabs (all males) have been grabbing onto Cat's (blind female) shell the last couple weeks and I thought it was because they wanted her shell. Well, she changed shells a few days ago, and they are still grabbing onto her. One crab in particular perches on her or just keeps his claws on her all day. He follows her everywhere. He won't let go of her! She will walk around with this big ol' parasite hanging off of her. He's not shaking her or doing anything...just clinging onto her. I got video (which made me feel weird) that I may upload to youtube later on. For now I have pictures (which still made me feel weird).

Thoughts?

wolfnipplechips · Post by **wolfnipplechips** » Tue Aug 24, 2010 4:14 pm

I'm not ready to be a grandparent.

Of course, I would have to toss them. I don't know the first thing about raising crablets.

UPDATE: Cat has now been taken over by Floyd. She has managed to retreat to a resin stump hideout without Floyd on her back. But he's at the entrance trying to get her to come out. Ok, I just checked again and he's sitting the the fern next to the log. Maybe waiting to ambush her...

So I have some questions about crab lovin'. Do the females come into some crab version of estrus, or do the males just get hormone surges. Because It seems it's just these two males and they only want Cat. If I separate them, they will frantically search the tank for her and only her. I am certain there are more females than her in the tank, but maybe they aren't receptive? I wish I knew more.

I haven't checked her for eggs. Should I do that if she comes out tonight?

MudCrabDude · Post by **MudCrabDude** » Tue Aug 24, 2010 4:35 pm

wolfnipplechips wrote:
So I have some questions about crab lovin'. Do the females come into some crab version of estrus, or do the males just get hormone surges. Because It seems it's just these two males and they only want Cat. If I separate them, they will frantically search the tank for her and only her. I am certain there are more females than her in the tank, but maybe they aren't receptive? I wish I knew more.

...

I found pdfs online that may be of some/little help...

(one about mating behavior on crustaceans - 5 megs)
http://decapoda.arthroinfo.org/pdfs/30942/30942.pdf

(laboratory reared C. compressus techniques)
http://si-pddr.si.edu/dspace/bitstream/ ... Harvey.pdf

suebee · Post by **suebee** » Tue Aug 24, 2010 11:05 pm

mating season can be different in captivity. It goes by the seasons, rainy, dry, etc. This and the time that there is sun v night time all changes in captivity. http://www.hermitcrabpatch.com/Hermit-C ... -a/152.htm HCP has a nice photo of eggs.
Yes hormones on both parties comes into play. I want to mention that mating can be a bit violent.. sometimes the females get beat up during mating.
I hope that doesnt happen.. Blessings grandma..lol..