Hermit Crabs ~R~ us - View Single Post

Donna M · 03-31-2008, 12:27 AM

Buddy has been buried in a molt since February. Shorty, who successfully molted months ago, has been leaving him alone, until lately. Now he's constantly drawn to Buddy's area, (who's buried and under a hut) and no matter how I try to block his way, Shorty has been finding a way in. The other day I came home and found Shorty in the middle of the tank with a crab leg on the substrate in front of him! It has to be Buddy's. I thought molting crabs put out hormones so the other crabs knew to stay away?

I have thought of moving Buddy to an isolation tank, but don't want to freak him out while he's finishing his molt. Do you think Shorty is attacking Buddy?? Or do you think he just absconded with a loose leg? I give my crabs crushed oyster shell, so I don't think they are lacking in calcium.

I'm a bit nervous about this, so your responses/suggestions would be most welcome!

Thanks,

Donna M.

03-31-2008, 12:27 AM	#1 (permalink)
Donna M "First Molt In Progress" Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 172	Shorty eating Buddy's exo?? Buddy has been buried in a molt since February. Shorty, who successfully molted months ago, has been leaving him alone, until lately. Now he's constantly drawn to Buddy's area, (who's buried and under a hut) and no matter how I try to block his way, Shorty has been finding a way in. The other day I came home and found Shorty in the middle of the tank with a crab leg on the substrate in front of him! It has to be Buddy's. I thought molting crabs put out hormones so the other crabs knew to stay away? I have thought of moving Buddy to an isolation tank, but don't want to freak him out while he's finishing his molt. Do you think Shorty is attacking Buddy?? Or do you think he just absconded with a loose leg? I give my crabs crushed oyster shell, so I don't think they are lacking in calcium. I'm a bit nervous about this, so your responses/suggestions would be most welcome! Thanks, Donna M.