Mixing Species- Safe or Not?

tigermoon89 · Post by **tigermoon89** » Fri Apr 01, 2011 10:54 am

Hi everyone,

I know this topic can open up a bit of debate, but I thought it would be beneficial to have some experiences shared, what species get together well, which one's don't. So that new crabbers can have an idea as to what species need their own tanks so that they are prepared.

So what are your experiences, which species seem to do exceptionally well together??

Which species seem to be more aggressive/ territorial?

CrabbyMom33 · Post by **CrabbyMom33** » Sun Apr 03, 2011 9:19 pm

I have Clypeatus (PP) and Compressus in my 90 gallon with no issues at all. I added the Compressus 2 months ago and haven't seen any signs of problems. The third species I want to put in there eventually are Straws so I'm interested to hear how others do with those 3 in a tank.

Shivering Isles · Post by **Shivering Isles** » Sun Apr 03, 2011 9:47 pm

I also have PP's and E's. They do great together. The E's are smalls and my PP's are rather large but there have been no territorial issues or anything else.

Actionizer · Post by **Actionizer** » Tue Apr 05, 2011 2:45 pm

Me too, My E have always gotten well with my other PP's.

But what about Blueberries or Straws????

Post by **wodesorel** » Tue Apr 05, 2011 9:33 pm

I'm one of those unlucky people who couldn't get my Es and PPs to safely cohabitate and I ended up splitting them into species tanks a little over a year ago.

Personally, my PPs ate two of my Es (back when I only had 5 teeny Es) while they were molting. The first they dug up, and the second was my fault because I didn't know the E was that close to molting and when I was cleaning the tank they tore him apart. I also adopted two Es that had been in with 5 PPs, and the former owner warned me the Es had been attacked on numerous occasions by the PPs. They were missing parts of legs and claws, so the injuries were noticeable and they had already molted with the prior owner so it wasn't shipping damage.

Also, for how much my Es dig and tunnel I would be afraid to place them into a tank that had molting PPs. They create rabbit warrens under the substrate and they spend at least half the day doing it! There would be no safe molting places for the PPs. (And I think that's actually why I keep loosing Es even though they've been split off.)

I'm sure there are some crabs out there that are calm enough and have matching rhythms where there's no danger in mixing species. However, if anyone even suspects that there's a problem due to mixed species then maybe it's best to separate and see if things stop. Better to be safe than to loose crabs. There are also a few species that coexist in their natural ranges, and these crabs would probably have an easier time of it. However, PPs and Es would never naturally come across each other - only in captivity will they ever meet!

Actionizer · Post by **Actionizer** » Tue Apr 05, 2011 9:42 pm

Wow thats intresting but mine get along perfect, they often chat too.

Xyloart · Post by **Xyloart** » Tue Apr 05, 2011 10:05 pm

My own Es have seemed to be fine, but I did notice that one of the Es I got from Marina was extremely aggressive. I'm currently in the process of migrating crabs into species tanks; PPs, Straws, and Blueberries in one, and Es and Rugs in another. The Straws are nothing but gentle and sweet. The Blueberries and Rugs have been down more than up so I haven't gotten to observe much behavior for them.

tigermoon89 · Post by **tigermoon89** » Fri Apr 08, 2011 10:54 am

I have PPs and Es as well. They are all about small/medium sized. So far no real problems between the two.

Does anyone here keep violas in a mixed species tank? I've read that this is a really bad idea since indos are shallow molters and violas are hunters so they have been known to dig up the indos. Any issues with the other species?

Does anyone here keep Ruggies? I've heard mixed stories, some people say they are laid back and don't bother anyone. Others have reported that they are potentially even more aggressive than Es. (I've seen my Es be very persistent and aggressive when they want to be).

jrosler04 · Post by **jrosler04** » Fri Apr 08, 2011 12:30 pm

I have a tank of mixed species (although I am very unsure of what they are!)

I know I have a few PP's & I believe at least 1 is a ruggie (of course, I could be totally off) I hope to get really good & clear photos in the future...

CallaLily · Post by **CallaLily** » Fri Apr 08, 2011 4:45 pm

I have had PPs and Es together in the same 'tat for almost 2 years now with no noticeable problems between the two species. ranging in sizes tiny to jumbo. I've seen them eat, sleep, climb, "chat" and "swim" together.

SojMad · Post by **SojMad** » Sat May 07, 2011 6:44 pm

I have four species together - three indos, three ruggies, one PP and one E - in my large crabitat, without any bigger problems.
Sadly, my E accidentally killed one previous ruggie when she dug around and found the little newly molted ruggie. By some reason, my E decided that the ruggies shell was desireable, so she stole her shell and dug herself up, and the ruggie died.

:/ But I don't have any problems with aggression between the species. The indos are extremely friendly and sweet against the others. I think the most dominant of MY hermit crabs are the ruggies - and also my E.

My PP is superfriendly, he wouldn't harm anyone. ^^

My plans for the future though, is to have one crabitat for each specie.

wolfnipplechips · Post by **wolfnipplechips** » Mon May 09, 2011 5:52 pm

I have violas and indos together. Haven't had any issues. All of my indos have molted successfully. Maybe I am lucky, but I have had no problems, and it has been a year with them together.

I'll keep an eye out for mysterious deaths, though!

In all, I have indos, violas, E's and PP's. Have never had an issue with cannibalism that I am aware of.

E's are shallow molters, too...any reported issues between them and violas? I have had one E death, but it was immediately after I got him, so I believe it was "PPS" from being shipped to me. My other three E's have each molted twice with me, and had no problem with two of them. My third, on his second molt, was injured on the way up. But I think he ran into an angry PP, because where he came up, a PP came up soon after. It was also on the side of the tank that my violas never venture to, so I know it wasn't a viola. They generally stay on the hot side of the tank unless they want a drink.

hermit lover 09 · Post by **hermit lover 09** » Tue May 10, 2011 4:43 pm

I only have 2 pp's right now but i am getting more, and they are perfect with each other so i guess the same species get along well?

scyllarus · Post by **scyllarus** » Wed May 11, 2011 12:21 pm

I've got PPs and Es cohabitating, but my PPs slowly died off for some reason (I think the same was too wet and it messed up their molting. I didn't find any evidence than the Es were attacking them during a molt.) They don't get along quite as well, since the PPs seem to be much less active than the Es, so they're usually hiding or asleep and I don't ever see them interact.