New tank stress?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Aug 23, 2005 9:23 am

I got a 30 gal tall tank off of freecycle yesterday. It's not the 55 gallon I would have asked for but the price was so right! It had a crack in the back that I sealed with aquarium sealant. I need to clean it out still and I plan on adding a second floor as well. I want it set up well before I put the crabs in.

I am guessing it will take 1-2 weeks to get it set up right.

Will they do the whole stress thing again when I change their tank? Is there anything I can do to make it less? It will have the same playsand substrate and the same toys and such.

My littlest one is just finally walking around the tank with people in the room. The bigger one I can't tell what is up with him. He seems to love to walk around on people and when I change the tank he explores but other then that he's a lump. Oh yeah, he has 4 hour eating binges every time I put honeydew in the tank. He eats nothing else.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Aug 23, 2005 9:32 am

How they'll react to changes in/of their tank depends on the individual crab - having the tank completely set up and ready to go before transferring the crabs will help, as will allowing them peace and quiet afterwards to adjust.

As for your 'lump', his 'enjoyment' of climbing over people might actually be a sign of stress and fear. Often, bursts of activity in an otherwise inactive crab are signs that it has been spooked or stressed by something. He'll become more relaxed and sociable eventually - all crabs destress in their own ways and some do it by sulking. Just allow him to do it in his own time...

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Aug 23, 2005 11:39 am

I moved my hermies from a 29-gal to a 55-gal about a week ago. Not one of them seemed to stress in the least. I did have everything in place & the humidity & temp. were perfect BEFORE I placed them into it. They are acting perfectly normal...sleep all day, play all night. My night activity level has at least DOUBLED, though! I think they like the extra space, more climbing stuff & the second level. Clunk, clunk, clunk (against the glass, coral, shells, etc.)....all night long!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Aug 23, 2005 2:00 pm

Goblin_Queen wrote: As for your 'lump', his 'enjoyment' of climbing over people might actually be a sign of stress and fear. Often, bursts of activity in an otherwise inactive crab are signs that it has been spooked or stressed by something. He'll become more relaxed and sociable eventually - all crabs destress in their own ways and some do it by sulking. Just allow him to do it in his own time...

I am assuming that that might be it so I handle him as little as I can. I only pick him up every 3 or 4 days and let him walk on my hands. I don't let the kids handle him at all. The little guy who stays curled up in his painted

shell I don't handle at all except to move him from where I am cleaning to a spot I have already cleaned.

I also wanted to clarify that I give them many types of food plus the commercial. I try to provide enough fresh that they won't be interested in the commercial but am leaving it for back up. They both binge on honeydew. The big one has eaten mango once. The little guy will try everything.

Thank you for your help. I think the change to the bigger tank will be better for them in the long run. I hope the added stress is minimal.