Foul play?

[Jadeamber22]

So, I adopted three new crabs today, well, I thought. The girl I adopted them from was moving and I needed a bigger tank for my two guys so I adopted her hermit crabs and got two new tanks. However when I got home, I went to put more substrate in their tank because there wasn’t enough in there and I noticed a leg! I was hoping he was just buried and that was an exo (I’ve not seen this happen yet because I just got my hermits a couple days ago) As I moved more toys out, I found him with no shell and completely grey, musing the legs and a pincher. I think he maybe tried to surface molt, but I’m not sure. Is there any way to tell if the bigger two were aggressive and that was the cause? All three were in a 15 gallon tank. I’m moving the two living ones to a 20 gallon tomorrow, but I need to know whether they need to be isolated while I do that or if it’s safe to let them be in my other hermit crabs’ tank during that process? For size reference, the two new guys are both in shells that size.


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[CrabbyLover77]

Congrats on the new crabbies!
Aggression is always a possibility, but I'm leaning more toward stress. Hermits will drop their limbs when stressed. How were the conditions when you got the new crabs and tank? Anything wrong/missing that might have stressed him out?

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[Jadeamber22]

Congrats on the new crabbies!
Aggression is always a possibility, but I'm leaning more toward stress. Hermits will drop their limbs when stressed. How were the conditions when you got the new crabs and tank? Anything wrong/missing that might have stressed him out?

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I mean, the sub level was a bit low for them and there wasn’t enough room in the tank for three, but there was a humidity gauge in there and a temp gauge. So, I’m guessing those were monitored. There was no salt water, however. Maybe that was the issue? She said the little one his from her a lot. But when I found him, he was already passed. I just don’t want to put them in the tank with my other two tomorrow while I transition them to a 20 gallon and they beat up on them. They’re a lot bigger than them.


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[CrabbyLover77]

I mean, the sub level was a bit low for them and there wasn’t enough room in the tank for three, but there was a humidity gauge in there and a temp gauge. So, I’m guessing those were monitored. There was no salt water, however. Maybe that was the issue? She said the little one his from her a lot. But when I found him, he was already passed. I just don’t want to put them in the tank with my other two tomorrow while I transition them to a 20 gallon and they beat up on them. They’re a lot bigger than them.


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I totally understand your worry. With the substrate being a little shallow and no salt water available, it could definitely have caused him to stress. To make you feel better, you should probably wait until someone with better insight jumps in. And just because there's a size difference doesn't necessarily mean the crabbies will fight. There are people on here with all different sizes living together and they get along great. I wish I could be of more help, I'm sorry.

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[Jadeamber22]

No, I appreciate it! Lol. My husband was getting annoyed at me being so worried about them, but I’m just so new to this and seeing the one had passed away was just really upsetting to me.


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[CrabbyLover77]

No, I appreciate it! Lol. My husband was getting annoyed at me being so worried about them, but I’m just so new to this and seeing the one had passed away was just really upsetting to me.


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I know it's rough to see a poor crabby that's passed. I'm so sensitive I cry anytime any of my fish pass away! I'm honestly thinking they will be fine together, but just want you to get a second opinion. I put my 4 newbies in with my 3 crabs and so far so good. I just keep checking on them. I also have a Wyze camera on the tank so I can peek in on them from the phone app to make sure no one is getting too rough lol.

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[CrabbyLover77]

Ps- Many people on here give their new crabbies a quick dip in the fresh or saltwater pool right before putting them in the tank. This is supposed to help make them smell familiar/like the tank. I just did that tonight with my new guys.


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[Jadeamber22]

Ps- Many people on here give their new crabbies a quick dip in the fresh or saltwater pool right before putting them in the tank. This is supposed to help make them smell familiar/like the tank. I just did that tonight with my new guys.


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Alrighty! Thanks for the tip! They’re still going to be separated after since I don’t have a 40 gallon tank, just need to put them somewhere so I can move them to a 20 gallon and my other guys into their current 15 gallon. Lol.


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[CrabbyLover77]

Alrighty! Thanks for the tip! They’re still going to be separated after since I don’t have a 40 gallon tank, just need to put them somewhere so I can move them to a 20 gallon and my other guys into their current 15 gallon. Lol.


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You're welcome! Good luck with everything!

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