i need advice.

[lula67]

i have 4 larger p.p,s and 2 smaller, about the size of a quarter, my 2 smaller ones were a rescue, im trying to get them to switch out of the painted way to small shells they came to me in. no luck so far but i did just order 25 more shells of all sizes for them, my problem is they dont seem to ever come out from under a root ive got in my tank, the larger 4 are always out, not all at the same time but they do come out, they eat drink climb ect... could my smaller ones be affraid of the others? can the bigger ones be intemidating to them so they wont come out, i dont want to lose the little ones, im just worried about them. can anyone give me answers, do i just leave them alone, i dont know what to do. i have pulled them out and they go right back to there spot, am i doing anything wrong...

[marandashermies]

they are most likely getting acclimated to their new surroundings. I wouldn't pull them out anymore. Once they get comfortable, they will come out on their own. I don't think they are intimidated by the larger ones. In my experience, my smaller guys are the ones messing with the larger ones, climbing on them, having heated antenna talks etc. Its perfectly normal for crabs to take some time to de stress once they are in a new home. They will change shells when they are ready, all you can do is provide them with the proper fitting and preferred choices, which it sounds like you have taken that step. Just sit back, relax and they will come around.

[wodesorel]

Is there lots of cover in your tank? The smaller the crab, the easier it is for them to be eaten by something else, and birds are a major predator. Making it so they feel secure by having low cover to hide under will help in getting them out more. They have no clue that there's no more risk of sudden death, so their instincts tell them to stay secure and stay safe and hidden.

[lula67]

i do have alot of low ground cover for them, thank you for putting my mind at ease i will just let them do there own thing,