I have had my tank set up for about two months now. Things were going really good until last night. My blue-eyed hermit (who just molted and changed shells two weeks ago) has decided to attack my blue banded hermit. The blue-eyed forced him out of his shell and then proceeded to attack him. Does anyone know if this is normal behavior for hermit crabs. Right now I have separated the two crabs and I am afraid to put the blue-eyed back in the tank for just in case he decides to attack the other smaller crabs in the tank. I am not even sure if my blue banded hermit is going to survive. He has tucked himself in a corner and hasn't moved very much. Any information would be a great help.
They are fighting over real estate They will kill off threats to ensure that they have plenty of shells to change into etc. They will also kill any unsuspecting snails to take their shells too. The one who just molted, may not like the shell it was forced to take. It may want another (the grass is always greener)
To help with this, get additional shells and put them in the corners of the tank. Move the crabs from each other and they will (hopefully) find a suitable shell and leave each other alone. Most LFS have tanks full of shells from dead snails and hermit crabs. Just make sure that they are the same kind of shell. Blue legged hermits like the spiral shaped shells of ceriths etc. and the scarlet legs and other hermit crabs tend to like the larger shells that look more like turbo snail shaped.
Hello Genita! I agree with David. From what you've stated in your post it does lead one to suspect a much needed shell change and a display of strength and dominance over the shell and your tank environment. Hopefully adding the extra shells as David suggested and a adequate supply of food sources will solve the problem. I personally feel that they have temperments also and some can display a more dominant and less tolerate of others side. If you rule out all avenues and the one continues to be hostile/dominant, you may well have to permantly remove him or the other to maintain the law!
I have little mexican red leg crabs. They are extremely mild mannered. This was the info I had found and the reason I go them. I have never seen any attack anything. They are pretty much afraid of everything. I just wanted something that was safe for my snails. But extra shells shoudl help alot. BTW the red legs seem to prefer cerith shells though I had a couple really tiny ones originally in some small curled shells.
BTW the red legs seem to prefer cerith shells though I had a couple really tiny ones originally in some small curled shells.
It really depends on their origins and availability of shells. They move, from molt to molt, shell to shell, and their abdomen is shaped to fit available shells. Some prefer tighter, more spiral shells, and others want wider, loose spiral shells. Again, it depends on the shape of the abdomen.
Just out of curiousity, why would a crab go for the corner of the glass and not try to hide in the rocks or existing formations that provide a whole lot more shelter?
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When I bought the crabs I did buy extra shells for them of various shapes and sizes. I guess he didn't like those. The blue banded crab did end up dying. Sorry to see him go because he was really active. I have let the blue-eyed back in the tank and he has taken up residency in the abanonded shell. Seems to be happy there now. Being that the rest of hte crabs are smaller than him and don't pose mush of a threat I am hoping he will leave them alone but I am keeping an eye on them. Thank you everyone for your advice and ideas.
Just out of curiousity, why would a crab go for the corner of the glass and not try to hide in the rocks or existing formations that provide a whole lot more shelter?
What I meant to say, is if you keep a supply of empty shells "somewhere" in the tank, they will find them. Personally, I don't like a lot of "rubble" in areas of the display that can be seen. So, instead, I toss empty shells into the back corner. All of my hermits go there to shop and I don't have to see the ugly pile when taking in my tank. I don't put them deep into the rocks for two reasons. One, when they get a new shell, it takes some time for them to become accustomed to the new "ride" and they can get stuck in rocks. This forces them to abandon the shell and go find another. Second reason, if the shells are sitting, and unused for a while, detritus etc. builds up inside the shell. This can cause water problems. So, when I'm cleaning house, I blow a powerhead over them, cleaning them out. I'd not be able to do this if I stuffed them in the pile of live rock.
They will kill off threats to ensure that they have plenty of shells to change into etc. They will also kill any unsuspecting snails to take their shells too. The one who just molted, may not like the shell it was forced to take. It may want another (the grass is always greener)
to TR!
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