HCA: Hermit Crab Association

This was late last night. I have had several molts recently, could this be why? They all get along well. Could they just have been 'talking' to one another?

Generally speaking chirping is not good. I've only had one crab chirp one time and that was when my (now gentle giant-now that he has shells to switch into) was new and needed a new shell and decided he was taking one that was occupied. The occupier was not happy and chirped loud enough to wake me from another room. However I have heard from other crabbers that some crabbies chirp because they're grumpy, or being stepped on by a bigger guy. It could be a variety or reasons from little tifts to serious problems.

Every so often at night I hear soft chirping coming from the tank, but I can never figure out who it is. It's very soft and repetitive, like rocking on a squeaky floor board. I've had molters that talked to each other like this when the molt ISO had four large crabs in it.

For me, I know someone is in trouble when they give off the loud cricket blast. That means drop everything and go see who is scared! It can be someone is getting picked on for a shell or because they're about to molt, or it can just be the crab is feeling cornered (even when they aren't) and are just saying "back off".

I think it's always a good idea to do a quick check whenever you have chirpers just to make sure everyone is safe and sound. If it turns out you just have a crab that likes to talk, then no worries!

Thanks everyone. I did a quick check but it is the first time I ever heard that, and everyone seemed in order. I was thinking maybe one of the crabs was too close to another crabs on the net I have created ~ but no movement or fighting or anything like that. I am not really sure. They have plenty of food, shells, and things to climb on. I will be more aware next time.

Also, sometimes shells rubbing against glass can mimic the sound. I've had that happen and went running thinking something was wrong only to discover one of my babies dragging his shell along the glass of my tanks while climbing or something. I've heard a crab chirp (once or twice-so no serious experience) and can still be fooled on occasion.

I'veGotCrabs wrote:Also, sometimes shells rubbing against glass can mimic the sound. I've had that happen and went running thinking something was wrong only to discover one of my babies dragging his shell along the glass of my tanks while climbing or something. I've heard a crab chirp (once or twice-so no serious experience) and can still be fooled on occasion.

One of my little crabs did that to me and scared the heck out of me.

My guys will sometimes chirp if they're lonely or if they just want to make noise. I can tell difference between that chirp and "oh god, I'm stuck under this claim shell! help me!" chirping, at least with my own little guys.