Is size difference a big deal?

CandyBolts™ · Post by **CandyBolts™** » Mon Jan 20, 2014 4:56 pm

When I got my hermit crabs, I had never had them before and I wasn't aware that different sizes could be a little bit of a hassle. And one is larger than the other and surprisingly, the larger one molted once since I got them and the small one still hasn't yet and now he's looking so much larger that it worries me a little bit.There is a large variety of shells so I know that neither of them will have to worry about not having one that fits. But I can't help but look at how much larger Hermes is and feel nervous like he's going to somehow injure his roomate in shape or form. And he is quite a bit larger. Is there any real danger or reason for me to be worried? Or can much larger crabs coexist with cmaller ones just fine?

Laurie LeAnn · Post by **Laurie LeAnn** » Mon Jan 20, 2014 5:32 pm

Crabs can co exists with each other in every size. The only way to make sure they will not harm each other is through a good diet. When one comes up from a molt do what I do, take that crab out and put them in isolation for a few days feeding high proteins type foods, let their shell harden, then before putting them back take some fresh drinking water of theirs at room temp and give them a gentle bath, it washes that molt smell off them. You might have to do it twice, changing the water.

Miko · Post by **Miko** » Tue Jan 21, 2014 2:00 am

you dont have to iso them but put in a shrimp and that will keep them nice to each other i have 1 E and she is about the size of a gulf ball (and my biggest) and 6 PP that range from dime size to quarter size and the E is a lil bullie but i put a shrinp in every time she molts and about once a week to every other week and she turns into my nicest crab...its weird what a shrinp can do..

Crabber85 · Post by **Crabber85** » Tue Jan 21, 2014 7:06 am

@CandyBolts, Depending on the size of your enclosure you can have multiple crabs of varying sizes together which is perfectly fine and is actually better than having crabs all of the same size as crabs who have a marked size difference between each other will not compete over the same shells and larger crabs tend to be a lot more gentle towards the smaller crabs.I've had a mixed tank for years between PP's and E's and a wide size variety going from dime to baseball size and I have never had a problem with the smaller crabs getting bullied or hurt by the larger crabs as the larger ones tend to be very careful around the smaller tank mates as if they know how much bigger they are.

Laurie LeAnn · Post by **Laurie LeAnn** » Wed Jan 22, 2014 3:34 pm

At times when a crab molts it doesn't matter what you put in the tank as far as food. You night have a bulky or even a pack of them that will attack the new molter because of the way it makes them smell. A healthy diet does help, but crabs do attack and have been known to attack a molter. That is why sometimes it's good to sip them

jenok · Post by **jenok** » Sat Jan 25, 2014 2:50 am

@laurie I think your gadget is messing your words up again.

Laurie LeAnn · Post by **Laurie LeAnn** » Mon Jan 27, 2014 9:23 am

yep that kindle and auto correct! makes for interesting reading and makes your reading skills sharper doesn't it..oh let's play the what is laurie trying to type today game....i am on the library computer today!