Can a rescued cannibal crab be "rehabilitated"?

[MauiMama]

About a "cannibal" crab?

Yes, and whether they can ever be trusted to be among friends again. My crab has also shown cannibalistic behavior in the past (before he was my crab). So I would be curious to hear more thoughts or similar experiences.

[BlazeTheWeirdo]

I'm a little worried. He seems kinda "lethargic" today. He's in the moss pit, and when I moved some of the moss aside his antennas were moving like normal, but he didn't eat last night. I don't think he came out at all last night. Is this a problem? I may ask the pet store when was the last time he molted.

[Hermiesguardian]

I'm a little worried. He seems kinda "lethargic" today. He's in the moss pit, and when I moved some of the moss aside his antennas were moving like normal, but he didn't eat last night. I don't think he came out at all last night. Is this a problem? I may ask the pet store when was the last time he molted.

I doubt they'd know when he molted. I wouldn't be surprised if they didn't know what molting was.

[BlazeTheWeirdo]

I doubt they'd know when he molted. I wouldn't be surprised if they didn't know what molting was.

Okay so I asked. They basically said that they only had him for a month and they never had a hermit crab molt in their shop before. Surprisingly they asked the company they got him from about things like that and there doesn't seem to be any indication that he molted with them. So I might be expecting that soon.
I got some bloodworms while I was there but... Their shop is pretty awful. The snake I saw there last time died of snake mites and they have a rat dying of a giant tumor... No one has noticed him yet. I'm glad I got this crab out of there but I feel bad for the other animals in there.

[Hermiesguardian]

Okay so I asked. They basically said that they only had him for a month and they never had a hermit crab molt in their shop before. Surprisingly they asked the company they got him from about things like that and there doesn't seem to be any indication that he molted with them. So I might be expecting that soon.
I got some bloodworms while I was there but... Their shop is pretty awful. The snake I saw there last time died of snake mites and they have a rat dying of a giant tumor... No one has noticed him yet. I'm glad I got this crab out of there but I feel bad for the other animals in there.

So sad.

[BlazeTheWeirdo]

Update: Could be expecting a molt pretty soon???

I smoothed over the sand last night to track his activity, and the tracks pretty much conformed what I suspected. He goes for the fruits only. Is this typical before a molt? I'm used to seeing all my pet store crabs eating LOTS of protein and fats before a molt. This seems a bit unusual to me. I only offered Mango as a fruit choice last night. He didn't go anywhere else either. I'm actually really curious as to why he's going for the fruits only. Any ideas?

https://www.dropbox.com/s/ai4zq18m9k9zz ... 1.jpg?dl=0

(his protein mixes came in the mail today, so I'm gonna try them out tonight.)

[PinchersAndShells]

Based on observation I’d say about 80% of the time hermit crabs will attack other crabs when something is off care-wise. I’d guess that when he was being shipped he wasn’t offered many (if any) food options. Once he molts I’m sure things will be fine.

EDIT: Fruits contain sugars, which can give him an energy boost. Purple pinchers in general seem to prefer plant matter as opposed to animal protein (not saying you shouldn’t offer it!) so it’s not surprising that he went for the fruit.

[curlysister]

Honestly, I doubt that the company the pet shop got him from, would know anything about the molting either.

[BlazeTheWeirdo]

Based on observation I’d say about 80% of the time hermit crabs will attack other crabs when something is off care-wise. I’d guess that when he was being shipped he wasn’t offered many (if any) food options. Once he molts I’m sure things will be fine.

EDIT: Fruits contain sugars, which can give him an energy boost. Purple pinchers in general seem to prefer plant matter as opposed to animal protein (not saying you shouldn’t offer it!) so it’s not surprising that he went for the fruit.

Okay. That makes sense. I just thought it was strange based on how the eating habits of my other 6 PPs were when I first got them. It definitely explains why he went for the peanuts more too, that's plant protein.

[BlazeTheWeirdo]

Honestly, I doubt that the company the pet shop got him from, would know anything about the molting either.

Yeah probably not. I checked on him today though. I waited for him to crawl around so I could get a look at his eyes. They're SUPER cloudy, so he's probably gonna molt here really soon.

[BlazeTheWeirdo]

Update:
It looks like today is molt day! He's burying himself now. So there's probably not gonna be much to say about him until he's done. I'm super excited though. He went for a butload of fresh and saltwater and ate like a monster, and now he's going under.

Wish him luck!

[MauiMama]

Update:
It looks like today is molt day! He's burying himself now. So there's probably not gonna be much to say about him until he's done. I'm super excited though. He went for a butload of fresh and saltwater and ate like a monster, and now he's going under.

Wish him luck!

Ahhh, good luck little guy!

[GotButterflies]

I think cannabalism happens due to a need of nutrients. I keep a lot of crabs together - all sizes - and don't have this issue. I also do not give my crabs individual ingredients (although I do offer them in my shop). I make mixes for all of my crabs.
IMO, Greensand, Worm Castings, Calcium Dish and leaf litter should be available at all times.
Every night I change the food in my tanks. I feed my hermits in shell dishes. This way the shells can be dragged off if need be. Most times they are not. Everyone kind of eats in an order.

This works for me Doesn't mean what I do is right! You have to do what works for YOU!

[BlazeTheWeirdo]

So... turns out I'm an idiot. Her eyes are fine, mine suck. XD
Her eyes weren't as cloudy as I thought. Also yes, you heard me say she... I recently got to check the gender and she is a girl.
I also noticed that she seems to have calmed down a lot since I brought her home. Today she actually trusted me enough to let me hold her in the palm of my hand... without pinching me. I finally decided to give her a name so... meet Dwebble.

I'm tempted to give her a supervised visit in the big tank with the rest of the crabs. Should I try it?
https://www.dropbox.com/s/wos53o81gfjm7 ... 3.jpg?dl=0

[Hermiesguardian]

Hi Dwebble!