Bigger crab hunting the little guys

SheogorathsQueen · Post by **SheogorathsQueen** » Fri May 18, 2018 1:47 pm

Queen Peaches is a large crab that I've had for almost 5 years now. A year after I got her, I noticed that anytime I would do a deep clean, I would find empty shells of my little guys under the sand. It got to the point where I only had 2 crabs left ( Her and another large crab). So 3 of my small guys had vanished. I believe she has been eating my little guys when they go down to molt. I know that generally, a lack of protein and calcium can cause cannibalism. I always have egg shells and a cuttlebone in the tank and offer protein at every meal, so I don't think that is the issue. I also know that crabs give off a scent when molting. Just wondering if you guys have any advice or experience with your bigger crabs hunting the little ones? She is definitely a dominant crab and just recently I moved my 4 small crabs into the big tank with her. I'm a bit nervous.

Thanks everyone!

Post by **curlysister** » Fri May 18, 2018 2:17 pm

How large is your tank and how deep is the substrate?

SheogorathsQueen · Post by **SheogorathsQueen** » Fri May 18, 2018 2:18 pm

40 gallon breeder with 12 inches of substrate on 3/4 of the tank and then it slopes down to about 8 inches where the water dishes are.

I am planning on doing a deep clean next week. It's been over a year since I've done it. I think I'm just going to make the substrate 12 inches everywhere to give them the max amount of room to dig/molt.

Post by **wodesorel** » Fri May 18, 2018 7:08 pm

So she only has 4 inches to move around at the top? She is probably extremely bored!! Crabs can get cabin fever from cramped conditions, and it causes them to act unnaturally.

Hermiesguardian · Post by **Hermiesguardian** » Fri May 18, 2018 8:09 pm

Don't forget, they're also climbers.

SheogorathsQueen · Post by **SheogorathsQueen** » Fri May 18, 2018 9:58 pm

That makes sense. I do have cholla in the shallow end that goes to the top, but it's not easy with such a short tank. I'm considering a topper. Thanks for the advice guys, I'll work on adding more things for them to climb on and rearranging the tank!

Post by **wodesorel** » Sat May 19, 2018 7:30 am

If you can find one cheap and/or used, the medium exo-terra fits perfectly on top a 40!

SheogorathsQueen · Post by **SheogorathsQueen** » Sat May 19, 2018 2:24 pm

Thank you so much for letting me know!!! I'll try and find one

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HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Bigger crab hunting the little guys

Bigger crab hunting the little guys

Re: Bigger crab hunting the little guys

Re: Bigger crab hunting the little guys

Re: Bigger crab hunting the little guys

Re: Bigger crab hunting the little guys

Re: Bigger crab hunting the little guys

Re: Bigger crab hunting the little guys

Re: Bigger crab hunting the little guys