One of my E's ran over to my little PP, I swear it even looked like he was stalking him! jumped on his back, turned him over so he was belly up.... I cant go anyfurther in this because I broke it up... two times now!!!!!!!!
WHAT THE HECK IS GOING ON?!?!?!?!
No lack of protiens, foods or supplements, waters or space, two very different sized crabs (E:sml-med and PP:very small) shell size quite different... the tat's conditions are fantastic!
WHY? What starts this beyond the usual suspects...what does everyone else do?!?!?!?!?! I pick up move to a different side of tank. I timeout on hammock or moss pit. I am considering the KK in the tank here soon...! oh but man that is alot of moving things around. I cannot sit here all night, I'm pooped!
What REALLY works??????
ACK!!! E trying to beat up PP!!!!!!!!
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Jennybecca
Topic author - Posts: 53
- Joined: Sun Jun 17, 2012 9:52 pm
- Location: Seattle
ACK!!! E trying to beat up PP!!!!!!!!
“To Find the Buddha, look within. Deep inside you are ten thousand flowers. Each flower blossoms ten thousand times. Each blossom has ten thousand petals. You might want to see a specialist.”
– by Someone Clever
– by Someone Clever
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wodesorel
- Tech Support
- Posts: 10594
- Joined: Thu Oct 01, 2009 8:49 am
- Location: Leetonia, Ohio
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Re: ACK!!! E trying to beat up PP!!!!!!!!
Something is going on, that's for sure!
It could very well be shell envy. Es like to wear smaller shells than a PP of the same size would, so a small E would be interested in a smaller PP's shell. Are there lots of empty options for him to change into? Have they been rinsed out with water recently so they are clean inside? You might even want to do this with marine water as the salt residue tends to attract Es to into checking the shells out.
The other thought is that the PP is due for a molt and is starting to smell a little yummy. Even with a perfect diet they can still want to eat each other if they are given the chance. I would keep a close eye on them if you plan on leaving them together.
Two things that might help. The first is a freshwater bath for the both of them. Bathing tends to remove any smells that "trigger" aggression and it might be enough to get the both of them to cut it out. The second is putting the E in a KK for a "time-out" overnight. It sounds crazy, but many members have found that to work! And it'll give you the ability to get some sleep without worrying all night. Make sure he has water and food in there, and he'll be fine until morning.
I'm afraid I haven't read anything around here yet about your tank set-up or diet, or even about how many crabs you have. Would you mind taking a moment and answering the questions found here? viewtopic.php?f=27&t=46102 There might be something that's off that's got them riled up, and if so we can spot it and help figure out how to correct it.
It could very well be shell envy. Es like to wear smaller shells than a PP of the same size would, so a small E would be interested in a smaller PP's shell. Are there lots of empty options for him to change into? Have they been rinsed out with water recently so they are clean inside? You might even want to do this with marine water as the salt residue tends to attract Es to into checking the shells out.
The other thought is that the PP is due for a molt and is starting to smell a little yummy. Even with a perfect diet they can still want to eat each other if they are given the chance. I would keep a close eye on them if you plan on leaving them together.
Two things that might help. The first is a freshwater bath for the both of them. Bathing tends to remove any smells that "trigger" aggression and it might be enough to get the both of them to cut it out. The second is putting the E in a KK for a "time-out" overnight. It sounds crazy, but many members have found that to work! And it'll give you the ability to get some sleep without worrying all night. Make sure he has water and food in there, and he'll be fine until morning.
I'm afraid I haven't read anything around here yet about your tank set-up or diet, or even about how many crabs you have. Would you mind taking a moment and answering the questions found here? viewtopic.php?f=27&t=46102 There might be something that's off that's got them riled up, and if so we can spot it and help figure out how to correct it.
Want to see all my crazy pets? @waywardwaifs on Instagram
Re: ACK!!! E trying to beat up PP!!!!!!!!
I have to agree with wode here. I had something like this happen once between Kio and smaller PP, and I couldn't get my mind off of it. I had to set up the 10 gallon just so I could sleep. 
I wouldn't recommend as it was a pain in the butt to do at 12 AM. :roll:
It turned out it was just a little quarrel and I haven't noticed any aggresion ever since, but it doesn't hurt to be sure!
I wouldn't recommend as it was a pain in the butt to do at 12 AM. :roll: It turned out it was just a little quarrel and I haven't noticed any aggresion ever since, but it doesn't hurt to be sure!
7 PPs in a 29 Gallon Crabitat + 1 Golden Retriever - Ginger
In memory of Snowy (In my profile pic)
In memory of Snowy (In my profile pic)
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CrabbyMom33
- Posts: 1223
- Joined: Sat Jun 26, 2010 10:03 pm
- Location: Gahanna, OH
Re: ACK!!! E trying to beat up PP!!!!!!!!
I base my action on the level of aggression. Wode gave you the two most likely issues - shell aggression or the PP being near molting. When they have them turned over that's usually not good. In that type of situation I'd move the E to the opposite side of the tank, likely after a little "talk".
I've found that using a mini flashlight to separate them works well. It keeps your fingers out of the middle of the confrontation, gives you light to see what is going on, plus the light often is enough to frighten them into moving away. If after a couple of relocations the E keeps going back I'd iso him in a container in the tank. You want to give him food and water, but don't want it to be a perfect place to hang out...that's the point...you're in jail for being bad! When I had to do this the E freaked out, dumped the water and generally made a mess of things, after the second time I didn't refill the water and made sure he had dried food in there on the sand. Here's the post where I had to do this: http://www.hermitcrabassociation.com/ph ... ut#p793423
I've found that using a mini flashlight to separate them works well. It keeps your fingers out of the middle of the confrontation, gives you light to see what is going on, plus the light often is enough to frighten them into moving away. If after a couple of relocations the E keeps going back I'd iso him in a container in the tank. You want to give him food and water, but don't want it to be a perfect place to hang out...that's the point...you're in jail for being bad! When I had to do this the E freaked out, dumped the water and generally made a mess of things, after the second time I didn't refill the water and made sure he had dried food in there on the sand. Here's the post where I had to do this: http://www.hermitcrabassociation.com/ph ... ut#p793423
Owner of 4 PPs
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Jennybecca
Topic author - Posts: 53
- Joined: Sun Jun 17, 2012 9:52 pm
- Location: Seattle
Re: ACK!!! E trying to beat up PP!!!!!!!! *UPDATE*
Hi guys-
I apologize; I have been one of “those people” who has used this site to gather information like a squirrel gathering nuts for the winter…without ever properly introducing myself…
My name is Jen. I am a servant to: 3 cats, 1 dog, 8 crabs, a very tolerant husband, a not so patient 14 year old son, 16 preschoolers (I’m a preschool teacher), and a dozen+ professors, because I’m also a full time college student year round….
This all started with my preschoolers actually- and 2 crabs that I fell in love with- we were studying the ocean and all its creatures and we were also weighing options for class pets- fish-gerbils-guinie pigs- hermit crabs… we all voted for hermit crabs. This was last August.
The kids never actually got to meet the crabs- after learning the technicalities of their breathing process- I couldn’t imagine taking them to a class room! I became a little over protective… they got fish instead
My tank- I have two, a 20g and a 30g- or 29g- honestly I have forgotten those semantics- I round all numbers- it is so much easier for my brain. The basics- I’m just a squeak away from 7 inches of EE, which I prepare with IO h2o, and a generous sprinkling of oyster shell from HCP- one quarter of the floor is also 7 inches of marine sand (the aquarium folks call it crushed coral, but I don’t want anyone to panic, it’s is as fine as paly sand but much prettier in my opinion only.. because I love the contrasting colors and it gives them options…and it makes GREAT sand castles! heat/humidity never less than 80/80 during day…at night I have never seen it get below 74 degrees the lowest humidity I have ever seen was 71 %, I cracked the lid for too long…. (side note: read Kip’s experiment and chart of new heat information- I went and got a dimmer the other day and plan on adjusting soon, I’m not in a real hurry as the kids seem active either way) I have the Tropicaire, salt water Jacuzzi, fresh water pool, a few sponges for my wee ones, I mist in the am for the day, or as needed from lamp dry out. They have 4 moss pits- (the soap caddy’s delux! ) Loaded with lots of moss I got from HCA. They absolutely love it- an over loaded shell shop… I have shells coming out my nose! (thus, my confusion last night with the fight…which I shall go into greater detail about…) I have made multiple levels as I am working with LOTS of verticalness and they are all dedicated climbers. The hammock eases my anxiety a little more- cue circus music please- they fall, and land on it like many of the artist’s one sees in a circus. Numerous bridging vines from pit to pit- If I can’t boil it, I bake it, and if I can’t do either- it must be living- or- it’s not going into the tank. I have actually planted seeds in there- started with chia- experimented with basil…attempted would be a better word. I have been fortunate in that I have never had a bug issue. I fear that day I have to log onto the computer and read over all the facts about bugs in the habitat.
Shells- we have A LOT of ‘em. In fact, last night I counted 21 on the floor and 18 in the shell shop. I need to find a bigger shop- I’m running out of ideas. This does NOT include the ones that are boiled, cooled, put away and stored by size in containers… I do not know how many I have in those. Let’s say…a lot. ( I am a shell shopper myself- I know that I need more than 3 fitting pairs of pants !)
LOL! I keep 2, yes TWO flash lights next to the tank. One is the LED. Bright! I feel so very authoritative when I use that! The looks are enough to walk away giggling about. The other is a standard light- that is use for cleaning, hide and seeks, general check in’s (spying) I equate my flash light to my whistle at school during recess!
Crabs- In total I have 8. In this particular tank- the 30g- I have 6.
2 medium E’s- Aye and Corrumba. (they earn their names every single night!)
1 sml-med E- named Benito.
1 Tiny E- named Thesius.
2 tiny-sml PP’s.- Grunion and Poco. Poco is so small I can almost see right through him. Since I brought him home he has molted twice and grown a smidge- but I honestly think he’s grown more kahunas than girth…. He was the size of a dime when he came home.
(20g has 2 PP’s… this is a different story…)
I will introduce the goofs from last night episode: The E Benito and the PP Grunion.
Both have just recently come up from a molt. Grunion was in the ISO tank. Benito went down in the main tank. (I was fortunate to see Grunion actually start the tunnel)
They came up 2 days apart. Upon Grunion’s return to the world- I kept him in the ISO for 2 days- loading him up with all the specialties of the post molt menu! I bathed him. I gave him more options for shell changes. On morning 3- my husband woke me up at 7am with the scariest look I have ever seen telling me not to panic- (yeah ok buddy). Ants had taken over Grunion’s tank- thousands upon thousands of them swarming the honey shell- the food dishes- the cork log! I didn’t panic. I gave him another bath. I talked to him for a short minute. I put him in general population.
Keep in mind- I am ALSO doing this all in the main tank too. If one goes down, they generally all go down, so they all came up around the same time. I just didn’t happen to be there for the others. Menus are hearty, jacuzzis are a bubblin’, and shells are coming out of the sky!
I put Grunion in general population. Benito did not hesitate to jump him. Ok… I separated them. Fortunately, I had LOTS of homework to do which meant they had me sitting in front of the tank watching all day… while doing homework. Everybody greeted Gruinon. Feelers going like mad… and that was that. Even Corrumba (the biggest and the boss, said whatever she says turned and carried on about her business.) Except for Benito. He watched, stalked, jumped and turned poor Grunion over- I did however NOT hear any chirping from anyone. I put him in a moss pit, the highest one. I have never seen a creature move so fast to get back at a victim! He nearly did a face dive off the pit! In fact- he did dive off the hammock! This went on for some time. I took him out- scolded him- verbally- for an E- just handling can them can sent them into the sulk and forget their madness. He eventually did this. However, come night time- he was gunning for Grunion again! Grunion is in a shell that is not only MUCH smaller than Benito, it is by far the UGLIEST shell in the house. It is natural, but it is UGLY. I don’t think this is one I ever spent money on! I all but grabbed pom poms last night when I saw Grunion fondling and wrestling with the new shells… anyways, after I shot out that email in frustration to you guys- I contemplated cleaning out the ISO- which was outside- de-anting. I considered how pooped I was, how much more homework I had, and decided- No. Instead- I drew Gruinon another salty bath. I bathed him again. I praised him for all his courage. I put him back.
I’ll be darned- here is what happened. Nothing. Benito was SO involved in his laps around the lid- he never noticed. And when he did- he just didn’t care. Peace has been restored.
I went to bed after a little bit. I woke up around 3ish- grabbed my regular flash light- peeked in- I saw the shell Grunion had tried on-took off-tried on again-took off again-walked away-came back-tried on again- go scampering sideways across the floor- the excitement started to rise…. I looked closer…it was BENITO wearing the shell! Now he sits there… and I swear he is saying to me “Cuz! The other kid had it!” Never the less- it is peaceful…. It took 3 baths, a little scolding, spot light intrusions, and me wagging my finger at him- but he clamed down.
I must thank you guys- for so many things- but for mainly just being here!
I apologize; I have been one of “those people” who has used this site to gather information like a squirrel gathering nuts for the winter…without ever properly introducing myself…
My name is Jen. I am a servant to: 3 cats, 1 dog, 8 crabs, a very tolerant husband, a not so patient 14 year old son, 16 preschoolers (I’m a preschool teacher), and a dozen+ professors, because I’m also a full time college student year round….
This all started with my preschoolers actually- and 2 crabs that I fell in love with- we were studying the ocean and all its creatures and we were also weighing options for class pets- fish-gerbils-guinie pigs- hermit crabs… we all voted for hermit crabs. This was last August.
The kids never actually got to meet the crabs- after learning the technicalities of their breathing process- I couldn’t imagine taking them to a class room! I became a little over protective… they got fish instead
My tank- I have two, a 20g and a 30g- or 29g- honestly I have forgotten those semantics- I round all numbers- it is so much easier for my brain. The basics- I’m just a squeak away from 7 inches of EE, which I prepare with IO h2o, and a generous sprinkling of oyster shell from HCP- one quarter of the floor is also 7 inches of marine sand (the aquarium folks call it crushed coral, but I don’t want anyone to panic, it’s is as fine as paly sand but much prettier in my opinion only.. because I love the contrasting colors and it gives them options…and it makes GREAT sand castles! heat/humidity never less than 80/80 during day…at night I have never seen it get below 74 degrees the lowest humidity I have ever seen was 71 %, I cracked the lid for too long…. (side note: read Kip’s experiment and chart of new heat information- I went and got a dimmer the other day and plan on adjusting soon, I’m not in a real hurry as the kids seem active either way) I have the Tropicaire, salt water Jacuzzi, fresh water pool, a few sponges for my wee ones, I mist in the am for the day, or as needed from lamp dry out. They have 4 moss pits- (the soap caddy’s delux! ) Loaded with lots of moss I got from HCA. They absolutely love it- an over loaded shell shop… I have shells coming out my nose! (thus, my confusion last night with the fight…which I shall go into greater detail about…) I have made multiple levels as I am working with LOTS of verticalness and they are all dedicated climbers. The hammock eases my anxiety a little more- cue circus music please- they fall, and land on it like many of the artist’s one sees in a circus. Numerous bridging vines from pit to pit- If I can’t boil it, I bake it, and if I can’t do either- it must be living- or- it’s not going into the tank. I have actually planted seeds in there- started with chia- experimented with basil…attempted would be a better word. I have been fortunate in that I have never had a bug issue. I fear that day I have to log onto the computer and read over all the facts about bugs in the habitat.
Shells- we have A LOT of ‘em. In fact, last night I counted 21 on the floor and 18 in the shell shop. I need to find a bigger shop- I’m running out of ideas. This does NOT include the ones that are boiled, cooled, put away and stored by size in containers… I do not know how many I have in those. Let’s say…a lot. ( I am a shell shopper myself- I know that I need more than 3 fitting pairs of pants !)
LOL! I keep 2, yes TWO flash lights next to the tank. One is the LED. Bright! I feel so very authoritative when I use that! The looks are enough to walk away giggling about. The other is a standard light- that is use for cleaning, hide and seeks, general check in’s (spying) I equate my flash light to my whistle at school during recess!
Crabs- In total I have 8. In this particular tank- the 30g- I have 6.
2 medium E’s- Aye and Corrumba. (they earn their names every single night!)
1 sml-med E- named Benito.
1 Tiny E- named Thesius.
2 tiny-sml PP’s.- Grunion and Poco. Poco is so small I can almost see right through him. Since I brought him home he has molted twice and grown a smidge- but I honestly think he’s grown more kahunas than girth…. He was the size of a dime when he came home.
(20g has 2 PP’s… this is a different story…)
I will introduce the goofs from last night episode: The E Benito and the PP Grunion.
Both have just recently come up from a molt. Grunion was in the ISO tank. Benito went down in the main tank. (I was fortunate to see Grunion actually start the tunnel)
They came up 2 days apart. Upon Grunion’s return to the world- I kept him in the ISO for 2 days- loading him up with all the specialties of the post molt menu! I bathed him. I gave him more options for shell changes. On morning 3- my husband woke me up at 7am with the scariest look I have ever seen telling me not to panic- (yeah ok buddy). Ants had taken over Grunion’s tank- thousands upon thousands of them swarming the honey shell- the food dishes- the cork log! I didn’t panic. I gave him another bath. I talked to him for a short minute. I put him in general population.
Keep in mind- I am ALSO doing this all in the main tank too. If one goes down, they generally all go down, so they all came up around the same time. I just didn’t happen to be there for the others. Menus are hearty, jacuzzis are a bubblin’, and shells are coming out of the sky!
I put Grunion in general population. Benito did not hesitate to jump him. Ok… I separated them. Fortunately, I had LOTS of homework to do which meant they had me sitting in front of the tank watching all day… while doing homework. Everybody greeted Gruinon. Feelers going like mad… and that was that. Even Corrumba (the biggest and the boss, said whatever she says turned and carried on about her business.) Except for Benito. He watched, stalked, jumped and turned poor Grunion over- I did however NOT hear any chirping from anyone. I put him in a moss pit, the highest one. I have never seen a creature move so fast to get back at a victim! He nearly did a face dive off the pit! In fact- he did dive off the hammock! This went on for some time. I took him out- scolded him- verbally- for an E- just handling can them can sent them into the sulk and forget their madness. He eventually did this. However, come night time- he was gunning for Grunion again! Grunion is in a shell that is not only MUCH smaller than Benito, it is by far the UGLIEST shell in the house. It is natural, but it is UGLY. I don’t think this is one I ever spent money on! I all but grabbed pom poms last night when I saw Grunion fondling and wrestling with the new shells… anyways, after I shot out that email in frustration to you guys- I contemplated cleaning out the ISO- which was outside- de-anting. I considered how pooped I was, how much more homework I had, and decided- No. Instead- I drew Gruinon another salty bath. I bathed him again. I praised him for all his courage. I put him back.
I’ll be darned- here is what happened. Nothing. Benito was SO involved in his laps around the lid- he never noticed. And when he did- he just didn’t care. Peace has been restored.
I went to bed after a little bit. I woke up around 3ish- grabbed my regular flash light- peeked in- I saw the shell Grunion had tried on-took off-tried on again-took off again-walked away-came back-tried on again- go scampering sideways across the floor- the excitement started to rise…. I looked closer…it was BENITO wearing the shell! Now he sits there… and I swear he is saying to me “Cuz! The other kid had it!” Never the less- it is peaceful…. It took 3 baths, a little scolding, spot light intrusions, and me wagging my finger at him- but he clamed down.
I must thank you guys- for so many things- but for mainly just being here!
“To Find the Buddha, look within. Deep inside you are ten thousand flowers. Each flower blossoms ten thousand times. Each blossom has ten thousand petals. You might want to see a specialist.”
– by Someone Clever
– by Someone Clever
-
CrabbyMom33
- Posts: 1223
- Joined: Sat Jun 26, 2010 10:03 pm
- Location: Gahanna, OH
Re: ACK!!! E trying to beat up PP!!!!!!!!
No problem with gathering all the information that you can. We love it when people want to learn as much as they can to be able to do the best for the crabs! Love your story about Gruinon and Benito. That just support the statement that crabs will be crabs! It sounds like you did a good job working through the issue.
Owner of 4 PPs