What is my hermit crab doing?

[inigomontoya]

I just have two hermit crabs, along with an extra few empty shells for them in the tank. The hermit I just purchased a few days ago will grab the other, while in his shell and tries to pry him out. Today, he dug into the CC and shoved a bunch of it into the other hermits shell! And I mean almost topped that shell off! I got into the tank,well, my hand anyhow and gently shook out the CC out of the shell of the attackee. Is my new hermit trying to suffocate my old hermit? I have seperated them (again) but it doesnt help for too long..

 

[michaeltx]

sounds like he likes the others home and is trying to do a force evection. if he suceeds it will most likely kill the other and thats no gaurantee that he will like it. I had one that did that to 3 different ones and then found an empty shell it liked better.
keep an eye on him or move him if you want to keep both of them
Mike

 

[inigomontoya]

I will. Thanks!

 

[dreeves]

What kind of hermits?

 

[inigomontoya]

They are red-legged hermits, med in size.

 

[dreeves]

Dwarfs? If they are the fullsize hermits...they will kill each other...if they are dwarves..you will always have little battles...but one needs to minimize the reasons...food, shelter, etc...

 

[killafins]

just throw in all the shells you can find... usually this will keep them away from eachother. Try to get quite a few the size of the other hermit crabs...

 

[inigomontoya]

Oh, snap!! Just found piece of a crab leg in my tank, and looks like the other got the shell he wanted.. The other that was attacked is still alive and has the other shell.. These are not dwarfs, maybe I will look into them instead!! Thanks!!!!