Will my piggy crab prevent others from eating?

[Rocky]

Hi everyone has anyone noticed a distinct pecking order with their crabs? There's definately one in my tank, and right now my biggest strawberry is top dog. I'm a nervous nelly, and I'm a little worried that there might be some issues with the pecking order. B (the big straw) eats like a horse! He can go through 1/4 cup of food by himself, and when he eats, he usually stays in the food bowl all night. Tonight I noticed some odd behaviour, when one of my smaller crabs approached the bowl, B pushed him away. It wasn't agressive and he didn't use his claws, I'm not worried at all about my big wuss hurting someone. I am however worried that my small crabs won't get a chance to eat!
Ok it's getting a little rambly, almost done has anyone experienced this and why did you do about it? Should I do anything at all or am I just being over cautious? I don't want to up the portions, I just got them at about the right size, and I hate to waste food.
Thanks!

[rane4102]

Rather than upping the portions, can you just divide the food into two dishes? That way, B can sit in the food like he wants, and the smaller ones can eat in peace.
I've experienced this same sort of pecking order with my crabs, but not to the point where some of them aren't able to eat.

[Happy Crabber]

I agree with rane. I've got a new E that just came up from molting and she easily eats 10x what the other two PPs eat. So I put food in small dishes in 2 or 3 places around the tank. That way she can't keep them from having a turn if they want it. I'm hoping to get back to one dish once they're all acquainted with each other.

[Rocky]

I didn't even think about that thanks you two! I have tons of tiny bowls, so I'll just start using 2 or 3 small bowls instead of the one big one. Thanks!

[CrabbyMom33]

I have several dishes in my tank. When I first put in a new dish of dry food there are a few of the bigger guys (gals actually) who will hang out in the dish for a while. Eventually they move on and I'm sure to put in enough food that they can't eat it all. I have 4 separate dishes, all in different areas in the tank. I keep a dish for dry food, fresh/frozen food, worm castings, and mineral supplements.

[wodesorel]

Mighty Man definitely rules the tank. He has right of way on all climbing branches, and of course he got at least one lady this year. I agree that multiple dishes or spreading food out over an area will cut down on the fighting and posturing. I like to put dried foods in the moss pit or the dry upper levels so they can spread it out and all eat together as much as I can.