introducing new crabs to an old lonely hermit.. Advice?

[kwolff94]

I've had this medium sized crab (he's maybe a golf ball and a half) for 4 years now. He had a partner but unfortunately it died while molting in the middle of my move to college two and a half years ago. I've actually only recently learned the proper way to care for hermit crabs (beach tourist crab industry be) and am doing my best to amend all of the poor handling choices. He's in a 5 gallon now, recently molted so I know the conditions are finally favorable, and I would really like to adopt one or two crabs to live with him. However I'm afraid that because he's been alone for so long he's going to be hostile. Does anyone have any experience with a lonely crab being introduced to new friends? Any advice?

[Drakezilla]

I have a "hermit" hermit as well and Id be interested to hear how to go about this. I was thinking supervised playtimes to begin with after dunking them in salt water?

[moonbeam]

Hi! Welcome to HCA I have never introduced crabs into a tank with one lone crab before so I am no expert in that regard. I would be hesitant to add another crab to a 5 gallon tank. These little guys outgrow smaller tanks pretty fast and with a medium already in there I'd be worried about violence. If you could get another tank (I'd go 20 gallon so you don't have to upgrade again for a while) or even a storage tote with more space I think just a dip in the fresh water for each crab would do the trick. As long as they both "smell" the same and have plenty of room to explore/ escape (their tank mates, not the tank lol) they should be fine


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