HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Well, I can not believe it. There must be some sort of under ground meeting with my PP's. All NINE are under. I know 4 are possibly molting, but the rest are just underground. They must be sick and tired of the new E's sucker punching them and have declared war So they plt and plan I guess. This is proof that enough substrate is a must. I'm glad I added 80 more pounds!
My E's I got from Tammy have never dug down except for to play. They are quite bold and aggressive (in a good way, one is a bully though ).
I have never experienced this with new crabs and I really attribute it to the good conditions they came from
Well, here's waiting on the PP's :roll: Just wanted to share

Wow. Your tank must look like a ghost town...I only have one down. They must really be happy in your tank!

I wonder if such "mass molts" are due to some biological and/or environmental factors or if they're just coincidence.

I always say they have an arcade and a dairy bar underground.

@James, I believe it is a smell they produce when getting ready to molt that sends the other ones into wanting to molt also.

I know exactly what you're talking about! My Tammy crabbies are bonkers!

Bless their little hearts though I wouldn't have it any other way.

@jamesr: molters produce a pheromone that the others smell and it produces a chemical reaction thus sending everyone down town all together... Or in close proximity of each other...

Jennybecca wrote: I know exactly what you're talking about! My Tammy crabbies are bonkers!

Bless their little hearts though I wouldn't have it any other way.

That is one purchase I will never regret! Doesn't it make a difference when they are happy
Hey Jenny! It's almost time

I am telling myself to not get overly excited as to prevent myself from suffering any disappointment.....
But my heart is doing this
And this
Outwardly though I'm simply doing this

..... I would not surprise anyone if I whipped out the baby name book now hu?

So, is this why my tank looks abandoned? I was kinda worried! Well (really really) worried. It seems like it was just my little ones who haven't surfaced, but now it's all but 3 that are mia. One, our tiny one Mini has successfully molted and is doing really well. Then Sandy (clever name huh?Lol) disappeared and we think she's molting. Now, I can't find most of the others!

Gosh, It's so BORING in our crabitat! LOL I hope they are all okay. How long will they be gone??

HeathMcCrab wrote:So, is this why my tank looks abandoned? I was kinda worried! Well (really really) worried. It seems like it was just my little ones who haven't surfaced, but now it's all but 3 that are mia. One, our tiny one Mini has successfully molted and is doing really well. Then Sandy (clever name huh?Lol) disappeared and we think she's molting. Now, I can't find most of the others!

Gosh, It's so BORING in our crabitat! LOL I hope they are all okay. How long will they be gone??

How long have you had yours? It depends. If they are new and from the pet store AKA bad conditions, then they are de-stressing or molting. If you're like me and you've had them for a while, it's just what crabs do! May take weeks. It's actually cool cause then they all molt at the same time and then they are up for a long time
Good luck with yours and don't worry

patchouliii wrote:This is proof that enough substrate is a must. I'm glad I added 80 more pounds!

Tell me about it!
I have at least 11 down right now. I think I counted 8 up, but with some of them wearing the EXACT same shell and being almost the EXACT same color, it's hard to tell sometimes. :roll:

meldamiriel wrote: Tell me about it!
I have at least 11 down right now. I think I counted 8 up, but with some of them wearing the EXACT same shell and being almost the EXACT same color, it's hard to tell sometimes. :roll:

Glad to hear I'm not alone

my crabs go down in groups for sure it's no question. They also come up in pairs at a minimum. i also hear them talking down there when they are close to returning to the surface.

kuza wrote:my crabs go down in groups for sure it's no question. They also come up in pairs at a minimum. i also hear them talking down there when they are close to returning to the surface.

Talking Chirping? That's cool! My 9 are still down

All 9 down, I am sure then that War has been declared!!!!! Are the E's preparing their counter attack?
Battle stations battle stations!

BTW not that I need to remind you and Jenny but um yeah it's the 8th and fingers crossed!!!

Bridgitmac80 wrote:All 9 down, I am sure then that War has been declared!!!!! Are the E's preparing their counter attack?
Battle stations battle stations!

BTW not that I need to remind you and Jenny but um yeah it's the 8th and fingers crossed!!!

I know Bridg. I'm sOOO nervous!!