So, my 2 little guys live in a 20 gallon tank, big, lots of room and they seem to like it. But I heard Hermit Crabs do better in groups. That's why I got my second one actually, so my Arty does not feel lonely. Now I have Meaf and Arty but I feel I should have 2 more. Just to add the extra company to the huge tank. I love Hermit Crabs since I got my two I have been really into them. But, I would love to have two more
Now, the only thing is. I want to introduce smaller ones, smaller Hermit Crabs. I love the size I have now but they where the only 2 that size I have ever seen at the Pet Store. Now, not tiny ones but smaller Hermit Crabs. Would they attack smaller ones? Should I maybe like have smaller ones in a clear small fish tank so they see each other for the first day or so? Like I do while introducing my fish together?
You should isolate the new hermies before introducing them to the two original hermies. Not because they are different sizes, but because they need to de-stress. It's just a general hermie rule. After they destress you can introduce them and they can all have fun living together. All size hermies can live together.
I def recomend isolating your new Hermies at first but don't see why all sizes cannot live in harmony. I have all sizes and species living in my tank from Micro's to Jumbos. If you look on the crab care page that picture is of my Smallest Ee and My Largest Straw together hugging =) and I Have had no issues. Of course you want to watch the first few days But I Find Differnt sizes also prevent shell fights there for removing the need to fight over the same size shells. Food for thought good luck!
Sometimes, you might see the larger hermit crabs pushing the little ones out of their way with their big claw, but those are generally harmless. You generally don't have to worry about shell fights between hermit crabs of different sizes. Hermit crabs of the same size are more likely to fight over shells.
But a hermie is not like a human in looking at a shell. They do not know how to 'size' a shell unless they can get their pincher within it and size it up themselves. (followed by sliding their bottoms into it) The only thing they know regardless of size is that there is a hermie living in that shell so it must be comfortable.
Marie (aka ladybug15057)
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I agree, I've heard of big crabs having a shell fight with a much smaller crab, and I've heard of a bigger crab trying to stick his rear into a very small shell that he could barely get his bum into - silly crabs. So that's not always a safe bet.
Better to isolate them for a couple of weeks to destress, then give them a quick dip in the fresh water pond just before changing it to help make them "smell" a bit more like the other crabs.
And just make sure to have plenty of shells of each size so they have a good amount of choices.
Good luck!
6 hermit crabs - 3 PPs and 3 Equadorians
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