HCA: Hermit Crab Association

I have two crabs, one PP and one Ecuadorian. I just changed the substrate and put in like 10 new shells. The Ecuadorian changed from his old shell to a new shell, back to his old shell, then back to the new (same) shell. Ever since then, he has been extremely aggressive toward the PP when before they got along fine. The tips of his legs are also turning white, but I cant remember if they were like that. If I had to bet I'd say no. Is he sick, or getting ready to molt? Their conditions are perfectly fine. I just fed them boiled eggs (and do so regularly) so protein isn't a problem.

Well for starters, hermit crabs need species buddies. It's usually not a good idea to get just one E and one PP since they are different species. perhaps look into getting one more of each to add to the tank. Without a buddy of their species, crabs can get depressed.

If his legs are turning white I would personally think molting...but I'd get other peoples opinions on it first. Just to clarify, which crab has the white legs?

Boiled eggs isn't good for an entire diet. They also need plenty of calcium and fresh organic fruit. I do hope you give them fruits as well.

What type of water are you boiling the eggs in? Tap water? Also are you boiling them inside the shells or outside?

Species buddy: I didn't know that when I got them and I haven't had a chance to get another. They got along fine before; they hung out together pretty often (not fighting).

Diet: Yes, they get carrots and whatnot as well. I also give them cuttlebone.

Eggs: Eggs are boiled in the spring water I use to water them. They're boiled in the shell. Yes, they get salt water as well.

Legs: The Ecuadorian has the white tips.

What type of salt do you use in their saltwater?

my E's double front claw push/bash each other daily. And my conditions are perfect right down to each having 3-4 good shells to change into. I think E's are just crazy. My PPs will box a bit but they don't do the same thing so far.

Yes but Kuza, the E is being aggressive towards the PP when generally, they only shove with other E's from.what I've heard.

It could be he is frustrated by not having an E buddy.

Still, I'd like to know what kind of salt you use in your saltwater Sodg.

TABLE SALT!!

no just kidding, I use instant ocean.

I would also agree he may want another E to box with. E's also do this other funny thing where the jiggle i their shell really fast. Maybe it's just mine.

Adopting species buddies may be something to consider (please adopt rather than buying!), but only if you have a large enough tank (at least a 20g, if you are going to have 4 crabs). It does sound like your E may be getting ready to molt, so he may just be getting aggressive because he knows he is about to go down and be vulnerable in molting, and is trying to "get some space" from the other crab. E's are apparently a bit more aggressive than PP's generally are, but your E doesn't have any reason to know that, so he may not realize that the PP would probably not go after him just because he goes down to molt. After he molts (assuming he does so successfully; E's tend to have more molting issues than PP's), that aggression may resolve. For that matter, if you have them in a small tank and the substrate isn't deep enough for him to feel like he can get good and deep and safe under there, that might be influencing the aggression; more molting space may take care of it.

My E's beat up on my pps and leave each other alone. I'm going through something similar with my big E (minus white legs). I had to iso him with a species buddy in a10 gallon to get him to settle down. I'm hoping he finds a shell that he's in long enough to modify. Then he will be less likely to shell fight for a new one. He's changing shells 1-2 times a day now.




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Thanks for the replies. I think he is getting ready for a molt. His joints are turning white as well, and I think this happened before but I can't remember. He's eating everything, including the mopani wood they climb on, and in and out of the water bowls. He's been super active when usually he loafs around and he's never been this pushy. I'll consider speeding up the process of getting him a buddy. Their tank is 20 gallons and I only have two crabs. Substrate is pretty deep actually, probably a good 5 inches, and is regularly checked to confirm sand castle consistency. I was considering isolating him but I don't want him to molt in the iso tank and have to worry about knocking it over or something.

He's molted once for sure, maybe twice but I can't confirm the second. I just hope he goes down soon because he's considerably larger than Derp (the PP) and I feel bad for Derp.

Oh my goodness Kuza, my Es do that shell jiggle thing too! I have often wondered why. I suspect that it is because they are adjusting the spiral or maybe cleaning it out more... I would love to see if others have seen this. I have never seen it in my PPs.

I've yet to see my PP's do the jiggle as well. I may name ny next E, Jiggle-E!

Jiggle E...too funny Kuza!

I wonder if whatever they are doing when they "jiggle" is what eventually wears out the spirals. . .