Murder Trend? Or a Mating ritual?

[VelocityTech]

Is this a Mating Ritual? Or some kind of Murder trend going on lately? I did post this on one of my Build Threads, wasn't sure if linking was allowed, so i reposted here.

I just cant figure these crabs out. mostly Blue Leg Hermits.
A few fany ones.
They have been doing this for the last week or so.

Meeting up in the front corner of the tank, every evening, And doing this.
Few day's ago, i was convinced they were killing each other, tried pulling them out, could not get them apart.
So i put them back in. Hoping for the best.

Youtube LInk for those unable to view in browser.

Here is my build thread link:
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/my-74-gallon-cube-build-24x24x30h.1087067/page-2#post-13432853

 

[exnisstech]

I can't view the video. Postings to YouTube and linking here works best. My hermits lay in a pile fighting all day when they're not killing snails lol

 

[VelocityTech]

I can't view the video. Postings to YouTube and linking here works best. My hermits lay in a pile fighting all day when they're not killing snails lol

Done! Uploaded to youtube, and edited the post to include the youtube link video

 

[exnisstech]

Normal hermit behavior, at least it's how mine act. I don't keep many these days

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

They have been doing this for the last week or so.

If they only do this for a few days at a time, then go back to business as usual, then it may be a mating ritual and a murder trend (with the males fighting for the females):

Just to add, it could also be pre-spawning behavior - some male hermits will start guarding a female hermit just before she molts because when she molts she can mate, but she's also vulnerable to predation. So, they'll sometimes just follow the female around until she molts, mate with them, then go back to business as usual.

 

[Reefering1]

They also fight for shells. Well literally pull each other out the shell and take it..