The strangest crab behavior I've ever seen... could use an expert!

[seecrabrun]

I just walked in on my 2 hermits doing something very strange.

Crab 1 was outside of his shell, completely exposed. Crab 2 was checking out the shell C1 used to inhabit. Then I realized C1 was clinging on to the back of C2's shell and patiently waiting for C2 to finish whatever s/he was doing so that C1 could then enter into C2's shell once C2 moved into the one s/he was examining.

This went on about 5 minutes that I was sitting and actively watching, who knows what happened before that. Now C1 is eating like crazy and C2 is off looking at different shells. They are avoiding each other like the plague and turn around when they get eye's sight of the other.

This morning I thought C1 was dead, but it turns out s/he molted instead... the old exo was very heavy and the shell appeared empty so I was very sad until C1 peeped out suddenly.

I'm kind of worried about them. It is extremely odd for a hermit to be out of the shell, especially for that long, and not moving quickly to safety.

They neither show signs of injury that I can spot through the glass, but I wonder were they fighting? Or could they have been mating, which I know basically does NOT happen in captivity, but it was such an odd thing to watch!

I took pictures and videos and will post if needed. Even the damselfish was hovering them watching like it was a show to be seen!

 

[trigger40]

seems to me that you need some bigger shells if you dont already. and i would like to some of the picturs please to move further to a conclusion.

 

[seecrabrun]

They have way more than enough shells so that just makes this odder.

 

[2quills]

Could they simply be swapping shells that they might consider more suitable in size for themselves?
Is the bigger crab currently in the larger shell etc?

 

[seecrabrun]

They spend most of their time each day moving from shell to shell and often swap shells but not like this. They are almost identical in size and they have a wide variety of shells to pick from.
C1 molted recently and that is the one now outside of the shell in the picture. C2 actually moved to a smaller shell (black) from its larger shell at the time (white) while C1 waited.

 

[silverado61]

I tried using shells like those and my crabs absolutely refused to use them. I think their too heavy and clumsey for them to move around in.
Correct me if I'm wrong but did you buy those by the bag with various sizes from a pet store? I did and it was the biggest waste of three rollers I ever spent. I filed them under G for garbage. Lol

 

[2quills]

Generally the exoskeleton of a critter can leave them vulnerable after a molt while the new shell takes time to calcify and harden. I wouldn't think he'd prefer to be out of a shell for too long. But with so many available options I'd imagine its like looking for a new house. Never really happy till you find that right one.
Just a thought.

 

[silverado61]

While they're out of their shells, if you see them, they're so ugly they're cute. Like a red headed stepchild.

 

[seecrabrun]

Actually the shells came from the ocean where I accidentally brought home C1 from. He was really well hidden in one that me, hubby, and our shelling guide missed him. I posted about that in my first thread here.
They have a vast variety, you can only see a few here. The whole substrate is littered with various types and sizes. I figured that would allow them to avoid fighting over them.

 

[LongIslandCrab]

he wants the other hermits shell