Figuring Out Who's Who

amwilliams · Post by **amwilliams** » Mon Jan 02, 2017 11:36 am

So I've just today found my last molter up and at 'em. My husband was trying to understand how I know which is which. I find this entertaining and no one else around me does, so then it warrants a forum post!

I have 3 and they all went down at about the same time in late October. My smallest, Tiny Tina, came up first and was easy to identify because she's still just very very small compared to my others. And she's absolutely terrified of me, so I only see her when other crabs are out and I'm across the room.

Harry came up over Christmas, a very deep purple. He was easy to identify because he is obsessed with trying to get out (which he has been doing avidly every day since surfacing). He's the least scared of me, but he's always in the corners of the aquarium top, giving me a reason to put books all over it.

Louis came up today!!! He is the only one who hangs out during the day and his signature spot is under an aquarium hide. The others strangely never use it. He also did not come up purple (so it's not just Harry in a different shell), but has bright red splotches and is notoriously huge.

I just think it's so fascinating how they have different habits and personalities that can identify them more than looks and of course you guys are the only ones who will understand!!

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Giner13 · Post by **Giner13** » Mon Jan 02, 2017 12:59 pm

I totally get ya!! My bigger guy has been molting for near 2 months now. He was my first crab after I figured out how to properly care for hermies!

Capt. Jack has a bigger claw so I always know him from Peanut. Plus Jack is also the less shy of the 2 as well!

Question for anyone else that chimes in....with Jack still down is it ok to introduce another buddy for them? Peanut is by himself in the 15gal, and I'm planning to upgrade the tank in about a month possibly. Would bringing in a third crab be ok?

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YouTube · Post by **GotButterflies** » Mon Jan 02, 2017 4:30 pm

How big is your tank currently and how many crabs do you have?

Two in a 15? I would upgrade the tank first to be less stressful for them.

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Giner13 · Post by **Giner13** » Mon Jan 02, 2017 7:02 pm

Yes I have 2 in a 15gal currently.
That's what I was thinking but decided to confirm before doing anything!

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kieagcarm · Post by **kieagcarm** » Mon Jan 02, 2017 7:55 pm

All 4 of my molters are up and this is how I can tell them apart, since they all changed shells... Athena is huge, the biggest by far so she was easy to tell, plus she is shy and though awake at random times only comes out when it's dark in the room(I can watch her anytime though since everyone's new spot is the back right corner by the uth and cholla)...penny is next biggest, but so close in size to Dixon. I know her from the others because she is not afraid of me at all, even comes up to the glass to say hi. She is always active during the day but never leaves the ground other than when she changed shells the minute she came up from molting...Dixon is next in size, perfectly in between penny and bellatrix, and so vary close to both in size I only tell him apart because he never comes out in the light and runs away super fast...bellatrix is my smallest up(Persephone the tiny baby is mia) and may be the most active, penny used to be, but Bella climbs like crazy, sleeps hanging upside down, tried to scale the glass lid and loves trying to escape. I'm so worried they will all go into shells that look alike and I'll get them confused!

I wouldn't buy another crab until you get a bigger tank, your crab knows his buddy is in there! That's how crabbers end up overcrowded, buying friends when others are under!

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Giner13 · Post by **Giner13** » Mon Jan 02, 2017 9:44 pm

Will do!!! I'll possibly get the upgrade ready then wait to transfer once Capt is up for sure. Been a long wait but Peanut has been keeping the night parties going solo haha

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kieagcarm · Post by **kieagcarm** » Mon Jan 02, 2017 10:27 pm

For what seemed like forever, I had just my baby Persephone up. I really wanted to get her a friend but I restrained myself, thank goodness, cuz with everyone out except Persephone the tank is such a mess all the time lol

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mool · Post by **mool** » Sat Jan 07, 2017 1:49 pm

I can tell which two are my jumbos, but that's about it. I never know which crabs are up and which are not. I don't name mine nor have I ever bothered to check their genders. As long as I have no death smell, I assume that all are alive and well.

Kaleighshermies · Post by **Kaleighshermies** » Sat Jan 07, 2017 2:35 pm

I have two males that are the same size and were in Babylon shells. There was no way I could tell them apart and they both have the same personality and behavior. When I took them out to clean their tank I wanted to give them official names and be able to tell who was who. I super glued two gems on their shells. Ahhhhh and before anyone attacks me about doing this it's already been said and done and they had no negative reaction, no one could reach them and none of my crabs ever get on top of each other and sit there and try to eat each other's shells lol. The gems are tiny tiny tiny. I have them for nail art when I used to do my acrylic nails. You can see the two gems in the photos. Black is Shamen and Blue is Sneakers.

Sneakers moved into a different shell now so it's very easy to be able to tell them apart now but the gems really helped me identify them and keep track on their behavior and activity.

Of course I'm not suggesting to everyone to do this but it worked well and I wanted to share.

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HCA: Hermit Crab Association