HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Scrolling FB and see a post in a pet rehoming group. They where going to throw Thier crabs in the trash because grandma didn't ask to buy pets for the grandkids. Long story short and a long drive later, I have 3 new crabs I wasn't planning for. No quarantine/acclimation tank. Everyone got a quick dip in the fresh water pool and are in my 40 breeder.

The largest newb already changed pants into a shell that's WAY to big and is examining the other shells in the shop. My largest crab, Crab Latte, has adopted the smallest one and won't let the others to close to it. The new and old (Buddy) middle sized crabs have claimed the coconut hut as theirs. Hasami is just chilling by the fresh water pool.

I'm now not worried about them getting along, but I am worried that my tank is to small for 6 crabs. The new ones are much smaller, so hopefully that will make waiting for the new tank easier for them. Does anyone know if they're over crowded? Could that cause conflict or fighting? I have a 125g, but it's not even close to ready for them to move in.

Have you checked out the care sheet re- numbers of crabs in what size tank, as per their size?
I would say you are likely fine until they are all large crabs. It's only recently that people seem to have so few crabs in big tanks.

curlysister wrote:Have you checked out the care sheet re- numbers of crabs in what size tank, as per their size?
I would say you are likely fine until they are all large crabs. It's only recently that people seem to have so few crabs in big tanks.

I did, and it suggests 5g per crab, so I think they'll be ok. Especially since the new ones are smaller.

The one that swapped shells has tried on 8 pairs of pants so far and I suspect he'll be in a different shell come morning.

Buddy has taken issue with the shell swapper though, and there's been some fighting. Not sure how to handle that. Would another dip in the pool help or just cause everyone more stress.

I really wasn't planning on getting more until after the big tank was set up, so everyone could enter the new environment at the same time. I figured then no one would have established territory. For the current situation I added more shells than they needed, extra food, and more hidey spots. I was hoping having extra resources and enough places to get away from each other would prevent fighting, but it doesn't seem to have worked.

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