Shell war - what to do???

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blitz
Posts: 16
Joined: Fri Jul 20, 2012 3:22 pm
Location: London, Ontario, Canada

Shell war - what to do???

Post by blitz » Sun Aug 26, 2012 11:42 pm

Some opinions here would be greatly appreciated!!! I purchased 3 pp's from my local petsmart 9 days ago and have had them in a 29gallon iso ever since. They've been doing LOTS of shell changes since coming home, and have 12 shells to choose from in the iso. The second day I woke up to find a naked crab (Bonkers) next to a shelled crab (Curly). After I moved Curly and dashed over to the comp, Bonkers returned to his shell. Just now I found Bonkers naked again in the fresh water pool with Curly on his shell (also in the pool)... There's another shell similar to Bonkers's in the tank and I placed Curly next to it. Bonkers returned to his shell after swimming around a bit.
My question is: What do I do now? I don't have another tank that would be suitable to iso Curly in... Should I move Bonkers and Uppity into my main crabitat early and leave Curly in the iso with some shells on his own??

Any other ideas?

Thanks!
*7 PPs: Curly, Bonkers, Plucky, Pippin, Uppity, Oolie, and Scooter
*4 female guinea pigs: Pickles, Tinker, Puddin, Pumpkin
*1 cat: Toot (Toot is a one-eyed, rescue cat)
*1 horse: Blitz (17h sorrel quarter horse/thoroughbred gelding)
*1 Bearded Dragon: Boogie (female, adorable)
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Bean2011
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Location: Maryland

Re: Shell war - what to do???

Post by Bean2011 » Sun Aug 26, 2012 11:57 pm

I think you should move Bonkers and Uppity!
6 PP's Carolina(♀) Margarita(♀) Marina(♀) Malibu(♀) Baja(♂) Tahiti(♂)
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Topic author
blitz
Posts: 16
Joined: Fri Jul 20, 2012 3:22 pm
Location: London, Ontario, Canada

Re: Shell war - what to do???

Post by blitz » Mon Aug 27, 2012 12:09 am

Thanks. I am gonna do that now.
*7 PPs: Curly, Bonkers, Plucky, Pippin, Uppity, Oolie, and Scooter
*4 female guinea pigs: Pickles, Tinker, Puddin, Pumpkin
*1 cat: Toot (Toot is a one-eyed, rescue cat)
*1 horse: Blitz (17h sorrel quarter horse/thoroughbred gelding)
*1 Bearded Dragon: Boogie (female, adorable)
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Emily
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Joined: Thu May 24, 2012 2:52 am
Location: B.C. Canada

Re: Shell war - what to do???

Post by Emily » Mon Aug 27, 2012 12:52 am

A good way to prevent this is to give them more shells. Shell wars happen when a suitable shell is found on another crab. Which usually means the other shells aren't useful, the only way to prevent this is to make sure there are lots of suitable shells. And I mean lots. In my main tank alone I have well over 30 for 4 crabs. All similar sizes, and I have more large ones waiting elsewhere.
I hope this helps :/
Returning crabber. Used to own 7 crabs.
5 PP's and 2 Ruggies. <3
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blitz
Posts: 16
Joined: Fri Jul 20, 2012 3:22 pm
Location: London, Ontario, Canada

Re: Shell war - what to do???

Post by blitz » Tue Aug 28, 2012 2:02 pm

Thanks for the suggestions! I've placed a large shell order at naples, and for the time being I hit all the local pet stores and some craft stores and came home with lots of suitable shells. Curly is on his own with 20 shells to choose from. Hope that helps the little guy!!
*7 PPs: Curly, Bonkers, Plucky, Pippin, Uppity, Oolie, and Scooter
*4 female guinea pigs: Pickles, Tinker, Puddin, Pumpkin
*1 cat: Toot (Toot is a one-eyed, rescue cat)
*1 horse: Blitz (17h sorrel quarter horse/thoroughbred gelding)
*1 Bearded Dragon: Boogie (female, adorable)
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Topic author
blitz
Posts: 16
Joined: Fri Jul 20, 2012 3:22 pm
Location: London, Ontario, Canada

Re: Shell war - what to do??? *UPDATE*

Post by blitz » Sat Sep 01, 2012 7:04 pm

Good news! After Curly switched shells and spent 2 more days after doing so in iso, I moved him into the main tat and all went well! Everyone's getting along very well and Bonkers and Curly haven't had any negative confrontations! I'm so proud of my little babies for all getting along!!!!!! :crabbigsmile:

Thanks again for everyone's advice!
*7 PPs: Curly, Bonkers, Plucky, Pippin, Uppity, Oolie, and Scooter
*4 female guinea pigs: Pickles, Tinker, Puddin, Pumpkin
*1 cat: Toot (Toot is a one-eyed, rescue cat)
*1 horse: Blitz (17h sorrel quarter horse/thoroughbred gelding)
*1 Bearded Dragon: Boogie (female, adorable)
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SoulLonely
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Joined: Tue May 31, 2011 8:56 pm
Location: Illinois

Re: Shell war - what to do???

Post by SoulLonely » Sat Sep 01, 2012 10:14 pm

glad there hasn't been any more shell trying to steal :)
PP- Currie (boy), Turnip (boy), Maddie (boy), Pineapple (girl), Scaredy (boy), Tremble (girl), Bitty Bite (girl), Frisky (unknown), Chloe (male), Big&Beautiful (female), unnamed (male), 3 unnamed (unknown)
E-Donkey (male), Sprinte (unknown)
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