Questionhi I'm from australia and we have different types of crabs here but i hope you can help anyway. I have 6 crabs, 4 small and 2 large ones. they live in a L30", D12" tank with lots of driftwood and sponges and a hut and everything. I havent had them that long but the rest seem pretty normal except for Jason. I found Jason after he escaped from a petshop (dont ask me how). When i found him his shell was way to small and i rushed out the next day and bought him a couple of replacements (i dont have huge variety because most pet shops around me don't supply for such big hermies) but he hasn't even tried them as far as i can tell. they are a similar shape to his now and i've put them face up with water in but he doesnt seem to care about them. my only real worry is that he keeps digging holes or hiding in the hut and coming really far out of his shell but not actually coming out of it or burying to molt. could he be sick at all? he's also gotten really active and really hungry lately. i know this is a super long question but he's really confusing me. oh and i dont know if this is important but he seems to have gotten more active since i bought these new crab crunchies made of peanuts, he can't get enough.
AnswerDear Lacey,
thank you for your question.
There's not that much difference between the various crab species when it comes to behaviour. Some crabs just like a small shell, he will move when he feels like it. Just keep offering shells, try some that look different from what he's wearing now. Boiling the shells to make them smell different may also help.
He sounds like he's just fine, the huge appetite and the digging may be a preparation for an oncoming molt, though.
You can find a lot more good info on crab care on these websites:
www.thecrabbagepatch.com
www.hermitcrabassociation.com
www.landhermitcrabs.com
www.crabstreetjournal.com
www.epicurean-hermit.com
www.hermit-crabs.com
http://www.crabbytalk.com/
I hope I was of some help to you
Jennifer
