Emerald Crabs Fighting

[rainmkr07]

I have 2 large emerald crabs (3" across) that seem to "battle" on a daily basis. We catch them with their pincers on each other's arms all the time. It doesn't look friendly... The slightly bigger one seems to usually win and the other backs off, only to meet up later that day or the next.
Anyway, my question is this, should I return the larger emerald to my LFS (whom we think is the main aggressor), or is this not a big deal? Maybe they aren't trying to hurt each other, and they are playing rough like puppies do. Have any of you had experiences w/ fighting emerald crabs and what did you do? They also don't bother our other emerald crabs or other tank habitants, just each other...

 

[devil dog]

How long have you had them?
How big is your tank?
It sounds like there is not enough food or the tank is not big enough. IMO

 

[reefforbrains]

Well consider it a good sign that they have not torn one another apart yet.
Sometimes they just poke and grapple like the B actor wrestler on the spanish channel. More often they are trying to fight for each others shells. Larger crabs get very strong and wind up tearing smaller ones limb from limb. Very sad to actually watch.
I would get rid of one of them just to prevent an accident but thats just me.

 

[rykna]

Originally Posted by ReefForBrains
Well consider it a good sign that they have not torn one another apart yet.
Sometimes they just poke and grapple like the B actor wrestler on the spanish channel. More often they are trying to fight for each others shells. Larger crabs get very strong and wind up tearing smaller ones limb from limb. Very sad to actually watch.
I would get rid of one of them just to prevent an accident but thats just me.
That would be true for hermit crabs, shell fighting, but not emerald crabs. my guess it's over food...these crabs are generally calm...but if it comes to survival for food...put your best pincher forward

 

[earlybird]

I got 5 on the smaller guy to win.

 

[rykna]

Originally Posted by earlybird
I got 5 on the smaller guy to win.

Me too!!! 10 on the little guy

 

[rainmkr07]

Originally Posted by Devil Dog
How long have you had them?
How big is your tank?
It sounds like there is not enough food or the tank is not big enough. IMO
I've had them 8 weeks. The tank is 75 gallons and is only 12 weeks old.
Maybe I should wait it out and see if they stop?
I don't feed them at all, just the 3 Green Chromis I have (which I have cut down on the amount I give them because my nitrates tested at 20ppm 1 week ago, so LFS said to feed less..)
Is there a way to feed the emeralds directly?

 

[rainmkr07]

Originally Posted by ReefForBrains
Well consider it a good sign that they have not torn one another apart yet.
Sometimes they just poke and grapple like the B actor wrestler on the spanish channel. More often they are trying to fight for each others shells. Larger crabs get very strong and wind up tearing smaller ones limb from limb. Very sad to actually watch.
I would get rid of one of them just to prevent an accident but thats just me.
We got 4 at the same time, 1 of the small guys (1") actually was missing a pincer, we think the largest emerald did rip it off... However in my tank I've never seen the big guy near the 2 little ones, only he and the 2nd biggest go at it.
To be honest, the biggest emerald is my favorite tank inhabitant and I would truly be sad to see him go (bringing him back to LFS). He has so much personality and I've never seen an emerald so big before either. I am not sure what to do.

 

[rainmkr07]

Originally Posted by earlybird
I got 5 on the smaller guy to win.
It's funny you and Rykna say this. The biggest emerald's name is "Barry Bonds" because he is clearly on steroids (probably 4" across). The 2nd biggest we named "Rocky" after the boxing movie because although he isn't always the biggest in size (probably 3" across), he is the biggest in heart, and so I think you both might be betting on the winning crab!

 

[devil dog]

Originally Posted by rainmkr07
I've had them 8 weeks. The tank is 75 gallons and is only 12 weeks old.
Maybe I should wait it out and see if they stop?
I don't feed them at all, just the 3 Green Chromis I have (which I have cut down on the amount I give them because my nitrates tested at 20ppm 1 week ago, so LFS said to feed less..)
Is there a way to feed the emeralds directly?
I know that they like bubble algae…
Do you have a lot of algae for them to eat?

 

[rainmkr07]

Originally Posted by Devil Dog
I know that they like bubble algae…
Do you have a lot of algae for them to eat?
no bubble algae.... no hair algae.. rocks are coated in green slimey paint looking algae?
can i add bubble algae?

 

[rainmkr07]

Originally Posted by Devil Dog
It sounds like there is not enough food or the tank is not big enough. IMO
The only problem with this theory is, why don't the 2 big emerald crabs go after my hermit crabs, or turbo snails, or the smaller emerald crabs? why do they only go after each other if they are hungry? if they were hungry, wouldn't they go after anything in the tank that moved, not just 1 particular emerald crab?

 

[porthosandjazz]

Originally Posted by ReefForBrains
Sometimes they just poke and grapple like the B actor wrestler on the spanish channel.

 

[rykna]

Originally Posted by rainmkr07
It's funny you and Rykna say this. The biggest emerald's name is "Barry Bonds" because he is clearly on steroids (probably 4" across). The 2nd biggest we named "Rocky" after the boxing movie because although he isn't always the biggest in size (probably 3" across), he is the biggest in heart, and so I think you both might be betting on the winning crab!

WoooooooooHOOOOOOO!!!! Go Rocky

 

[devil dog]

Originally Posted by rainmkr07
The only problem with this theory is, why don't the 2 big emerald crabs go after my hermit crabs, or turbo snails, or the smaller emerald crabs? why do they only go after each other if they are hungry? if they were hungry, wouldn't they go after anything in the tank that moved, not just 1 particular emerald crab?
No... They are vegetarian and they will compete for food and territory with something the same size that eats the same things.
Its just a guess but I would wait and see