Crab protecting his friend?

[SassyHail]

So, lemme just put up a timeline: Got tiny PP who I named Red. Very tiny,not very active. Week later got BIG PP who I named Boss. Boss actually was a bit afraid of Red? I think? Anyway I moved them this way and that as I set up their tank and he did crawl over Red a few times which was kind of funny to be honest.

Anyway, just a few moments ago, I got a new coconut hut, washed it up, and put it in. At first it blocked Boss in to his 'corner' so I moved it again. Anyway, I look over and all of a sudden he's on top of Red! This happened a bit earlier but not like ON TOP OF Red, so I moved Red but he climbed his way back to Boss.

Anyway, I keep an eye in case he does something and he just sits on Red for a bit, his feelers doing funny things. Finally I do manage to gently nudge Boss away but he pushes at my hand to get back to Red!

Anyway, I managed to get Red to the side, and Boss is off pouting. I was afraid this was their version of fighting or trying to kill poor Red (they fight over where to put the sponge, Boss keeps putting it in the substrate, Red will drag it to the seashell dish). Does anyone have any insight?

[SassyHail]

Update: I researched it up a little more, and I think what they were doing is just playing? It still has me a bit concerned since he was on top of Red, but he wasn't yanking on Red or biting at him, he was just flicking his...feelers at him?

On another note, he was acting a bit funny and I saw a mite, so I picked him up and he chirped at me! Then he just kinda looked at me before crawling up my arm. Absolute cutie.

[GotButterflies]

When you added the newcomers into the tank did you dip them into the freshwater of the crabitat?

[SassyHail]

I popped him into the freshwater for a bit, but he scrambled free.

Um. They seem to be getting along okay now? But now I have another issue: my tiny one, Red, has dug himself down into a corner. I know he's alive because he's cleaning at the glass for some reason, I'm not sure if he's hiding from Boss or what. Anyway yesterday Boss flopped on top of where Red was-but then again, Red's under the moss and Boss eats that like candy-and didn't really do anything? Boss took over the cocohut which Red had gotten in at first, and now Boss has moved it across the tank.

Anyway, i guess what I'm asking is, should I be worried that Red has dug away from Boss and that Boss is...he's not bothering Red, exactly, but it's like he's checking on him every so often...?

[GotButterflies]

Okay, if they all smell the same, that's covered.

They are going to have to establish a pecking order. That's normal. As long as nobody is chirping, should be okay. Keep an eye on them.

How many shells do you have? The HCA recommends 3-5 shells per crab, but I personally recommend more. One can never have too many shells. There are incorrect shells to buy, so please check out this guide: http://hermitcrabassociation.com/phpBB/ ... 24&t=92552

If that is covered, then perhaps it is a male/female thing. Not sure. What size is your tank? 1 crab per 5 gallons is what I recommend for small/medium crabs. Large and jumbo crabs need more than that.