Two Hermit Crabs Fighting

johnnyv

Member
Here is the deal. I have a 55 gallon with two hermit crabs being the only inverts. When I bought them I was under the impression that the crabs were the same size (beacuse of the size of their shells) One is considerabley larger than the other but they seemed to get along fine until the larger of the two changed shells. Since then he has be pummeling the smaller crab. The smaller crab just tucks himself into his shell. Is this normal? Can they hurt each other? Any ideas on why the larger crab is doing this? Does he want the smaller ones shell?
Thanks!
 

bigarn

Active Member
Wow! I don't know :thinking: Not run of the mill, that's for sure. Maybe someone can ID them. :D
 

offshore80

Member
The large red is a Dardanus megistos. They grow to 3". The Smaller I think is a Hawian Hermit Crab. I have both.
 

johnnyv

Member
Have yours ever fought? Or am I just assuming that they are fighting and they are really just doing what crabs do?
 

offshore80

Member
Yes, They fought and the red can be very agressive. Although, I've had them together for a couple years at anytime I think the red could kill the Blue.
 

johnnyv

Member
Great! So if this continues I will have to remove one or the other. I really don't want to have the death of a crab on my hands....
 
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