Bullying?

[llmercll]

Thanks for that reply, it's eased my nerves a little.

Anyway, all three crabs are now in the log home...they were having a three way antenna play, crawled on each other a bit, but there was no sign of aggression. thats a first. They've been in there now for about half an hour with no problems.

EDIT** to no surprise I found the big crab humping my original crab...again, rolling him around. Do pet stores have return policies? =p

[llmercll]

I watched more as the big crab even did that to the smaller crab he hangs out with. It kind of puts its legs on the other crabs shell and gently spins the shell around a bit. no pincher action or croaking though. then after a few minutes of doing this the big one just leaves it alone, and the other crab comes out of its shell and resumes normal activity.

I saw him doing this to my original crab again, and let them finish and it was the same thing. he just like examines them, and leaves them alone. wierd

[CrabbyJo]

Wow, sounds to be like he's rolling them around like he would an unoccupied shell to check it for possible changing? I would get more shells in there asap. Let us know how they do when you put more shells in, especially a few around his size!
Remember, the opening should be as big across as his big pincher!
Here's a site with instructions on how to size for shells: http://naplesseashellcompany.com/sizematters.html

[llmercll]

Alright, the shell fights continue, but I don't have an iso tank

Would be ok if i took a piece of cardboard and used it to separate the two sides of the tank?

Also, if my smaller one gets along with my original crab, should i ISO him as well? or can i keep him in the "original crab" side of the tank?

[emmac350]

Do you have anything to separate them other than cardboard, say, some plexiglass or glass out of a picture frame? That would be the best way to do it. Cardboard has been treated with umpteen different pesticides to keep roaches from eating it or living in it. You'd have to offer fresh and salt waters on both sides along with the same food to make sure that nobody decides to try to climb over to the other side for anything.

And as long as everyone on each side is okay with each other, it doesn't really matter too much who's together, although I'd personally recommend that the aggressive one is on his own until he realizes that he doesn't need to fight.

[CrabbyJo]

Don't forget to get a bunch of new shells for them to try, it may end the problem altogether!

[llmercll]

Ok well I separated them, but now they are really inactive. They just dig a little and stay in there shells.

I hope it's just them destressing

[CrabbyJo]

You keep talking about what they are doing, but did you get them some more shells?

[llmercll]

Not yet, my money source is out for the week

But will asap, I understand how important it is, especially in my situation.

[CrabbyJo]

Totally understood. Money tends to dictate a lot doesn't it.

Don't overlook online shell sources, there are also a lot of sellers on Ebay who ask low prices for their small shell lots (as little as a dollar or two) and will combine shipping costs. I had one totally deduct the shipping on my second lot as it didn't bring the shipping up on the first lot. I have gotten a lot of nice shells that way.

Good luck finding some good shells for them!