New Additions!

[CrabbyJo]

I got two new additions today! My husband picked up two really active PP's for me for Valentines day, and since I have no iso with Jeffrey in there, I had to put them in the big tank.
After their 1 hr car ride in a box (hubby said he kept the heat turned up the whole way) with nothing to hold onto except the edges they could cling to, I didn't want to stress them more with a bath. I read a bit here then decided to give them a bath anyway. So that is done.
Poor things were clinging on for dear life in the box, it was hard to get them to let go. Managed to gently pry them off the box (had to tear it to get the second one to let go) and put them into the tank. They are beautiful.

The big guy in the front just laid there for a couple minutes, although he was coming out of his shell pretty good as I took him off the box and placed him in the tank, then he turned around and burrowed under the net behind him. The other guy headed off and started finding all the spots he could get his shell wedged into. Between the water bowl and the tank, then between the water bowls, then next thing we knew he was climbing up a plant and the stalk he was on fell over, and he just hung there. and hung there.

I took pity and pushed the stalk down as far as I could so he was barely above the ground, then left him. Next I heard a shell clunk on the glass, and when I looked, there he was stuck behind the cocohut, and Rerun was on top of him! I have no idea where Rerun was before that crab went meandering around.


Since the two looked like they weren't too comfy, we moved the cocohut away from the glass so they could escape. Rerun promptly rolled off the newcomer and into the sand.

I realize an iso would be ideal, but I really don't have an option, and I hadn't explained to the husband how important isolation was. But, Jeffery has monopolized the iso, so we take our chances. I'll be watching close, and they will have a bath tomorrow, but again, they were so stressed by the long ride I didn't want to stress them more with a bath on top of it. Hope it was the right move.
So I'm jazzed! I snapped too many pics too. I promised them no more pictures for a couple weeks while they destress.

Okay did a little more reading. I have to figure out what exactly is best for these guys because they came to me by surprise. In my giddiness I let myself temporarily forget that there were serious things I needed to make sure of to ensure survival.
Any and all advice is very welcome in this case. Go ahead, hit me. Should I get something to separate part of the tank to create a virtual iso in it?

[emmac350]

I'm not sure in your situation what to do. Right now, I don't have an iso...and my old iso was a Rubbermaid container. When I got the 4 Es, I wasn't prepared for them either...I was 2 hours away from home, so I bought a large Kritter Keeper and a brick of EE to drive them in. When I got home, I spread the EE in the Rubbermaid, put the new guys in with a hidey spot and food and water bowls, and, within a week, had to move them to the main tank because of mold on the EE. They haven't had too many problems since...a bit of digging but that seems to be all the problems I've had thus far. Honestly, I think the move of those 4 into the main tank stressed my 2 old crabs more than it did the new ones (i.e. the leg drop).

I think you should be fine...keep a very close eye on those crabs and ensure that they have everything they need nutrition and water-wise, and I think that you should have a good time with them. What sizes are they? Are they named yet?

[Hermie's rule]

I shouldn't think you'd need to create a mini iso. Just be sure the other crabbies leave them alone and there's no shell fights and stuff like that.

[Hermie's rule]

Feeler sparring is fun to watch and it's so harmless. It's just a way to get to know the new guys and to create a pecking order.

[pookie_spike09]

congrats on the new crabs!!!

[CrabbyJo]

Thanks everyone!
It looks like the new guys loved the peanut butter last night, they ate most of it off the shell.
There is one who is bigger than Barnaby, I guess he's on the large end of the medium size. The other guy is about the same size as Barnaby, so medium.
Rerun is still out and about, saw him again this evening, he's funny. Every time I see him he just freezes, doesnt go hiding into his shell any more, but just freezes. Then he scuttles off when I turn my back.
Barnaby is still hanging out in the moss, and misting it doesn't keep it wet enough, so I'll have to soak it again tomorrow I think. He's been up there for two days. It appears that Barnaby only really eats every two or three days.

I'll keep a close eye on them, especially since I think Barnaby's shell may be in danger of being coveted. I sure hope my shells come soon! Barnaby is still in the shell that's too large for him.

No names yet, but we're working on it!
Wish they were easy to sex lol.
Husband suggested Rocky for the smaller one. Somehow that fits. Rocky, all over the tank.
Bigger one, not sure. He's rattling off movie monsters lol.

[CrabbyJo]

We settled. Frodo and Sam. Big guy is Sam, Frodo is the one who was checking out things all over the cage - he was questing! haha.

[emmac350]

Those are awesome names! I'm glad that they are getting along okay with your other two crabs. I love when people do "theme names" - next time you get crabs, you should name them Merry and Pippin...and maybe you can get a Gandalf and who knows what else. I did my guys as the Lost boys from Peter Pan - Toodles, Curly, Slightly, and Nibs, and Rack and Benny are "the Twins" as they are a pair.

[CrabbyJo]

I know I love your crab names, I especially like the names Slightly and Nibs. Merry and Pippin are awesome, I'm so using then for the next small ones, I think I"ll get a couple more E's if I can find them!

BUT... Sam and Frodo are now officially Mario and Luigi, as my son won out in the offering of names. Kind of seemed more fun than Sam and Frodo, but I think Merry and Pippin are great names, I'd forgotten all about them! Thanks

[HermieLove19]

I've always wanted to get hermies as a present. I'm jealous They're so cute! I think they'll do fine in the main tank. When I bought my 3 e's I put them right in with the pp's. Then I bought 3 more and did the same thing. It was so early I didn't realize I was supposed to isolate them. That was 8 months ago. Everyone's happy and healthy.