HCA: Hermit Crab Association

I have two small PPs and they tend to be gone for around 3-4 weeks at a time. It really depends on the age and its good to remember all crabs are a little different. Some might just feel the need to hang out underground for longer periods of time! Glad to see one has returned and looks healthy!

I saw similar behaviour in one of my bigger crabs when I first added my coconut hut. He instantly claimed it and became very territorial and it took a few days for him to calm down. Much like you experienced, he eventually wandered out and stopped being as crazy after a few days. Hoping it works out...

I'd keep an eye on them for now, but I'm guessing it's a dominance display. I had my guys for a couple months and never had anything happen until one day the larger one just started wanting to roll his brother around. Its possible that the addition of the new crab has changed a dynamic and Beacon is...

I think it's really cute when my little guys stare, lol. I think they're observing us to try and understand our motives and such. As prey animals, it pays for them to be cautious! Every time I open the tank to change bowls they scurry away at top speed. I'll always just say to them "Guys, If I wante...

That sounds pretty normal behavior for establishing the chain of command in the tank. How many shells do you have between the two? The HCA recommends 3-5 shells per hermit crab. I personally recommend more. It never hurts to have more :) There are incorrect shells to buy. Here is the shell guide: h...

My small pp "Snaps" just reemerged today after a 5 week molt that had me stressing. (New Crabber and it was my first molt!) My medium pp "Snips" has been, for the most part, ignoring him since he returned. But I've seen a couple times now that Snips will flip his little brother over and just roll hi...

Definitely a smart move getting your crabbies out of there and beginning a clean. I'd like to ask on average how long the same food is in the bowl before they almost finish it? You mentioned it's changed out at least once a week, but it may make detecting pests a bit more difficult than it would be ...

Thanks, avocadocrabbies. I'm going to keep a close eye on him. I've made sure he's got plenty of his favorite foods and I'm gonna make sure that he and his brother aren't fighting. They seem to like being around eachother a lot, and I've never heard chirping or anything. It'd really suck if they sta...

I've had my boys for a little over a month and i've noticed something amiss with my bigger pp, Snips. He seems to be missing the last segment on one of his legs. Im not sure if he always had it or if something recent has happened. What can I do for him to help him recover? Id hate to think its causi...

Yes, sometimes it takes awhile for them to pick a shell. Sometimes they don't. They may try on several, just to go back their original shell. It can take some time. Be patient. I soak my extra shells in salt water before adding them into the tank. This seems to attract them to the shells. Sent from...

My pp Snips is acting a little strangely. He has hunkered down next to my replacement shell emporium (There are 8 extras.) And he seems to be wiggling free from his shell. I've seen his little back legs and his tail. But he just kind of keeps popping a little out and back in. He's also rubbing his f...

Thanks, lol. I figured he's just thrilled being able to climb around in such a large space.

I adopted my two pp's just two days ago. My larger one (Snips) is a really enthusiastic climber and I made sure he has plenty to do. My concern is that he's spending pretty much 100% of his time up in the canopy and may not be eating or drinking enough. Am I just too overbearing? I'm sure it's nothi...