HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Hello! I am going to be throwing a lot of shell questions at you. I have noticed that every website says something different about everything shelI related. I know hermit crab shells are a very delicate subject and want to get it right. I have had success buying five shells in total for my two PPs. Some places say 4-5 shells per crab, but my crabs change shells a year apart, so there is never any fighting. I understand 4-5 shells per crab if they change shells at the same time. One is a little bigger than the other, so there isn’t any fighting over shells. Also, I am wondering is it best to buy shells in a range EX: 0.9-1.1in openings or all in one size EX: 1in? I think a range would be better because they would have different sizes to choose from. So far, what I am doing is adding around 0.25in to their current shell opening size and that is their new shell opening size. I don’t know if that is right. I found that method on the internet. Should I make one spot be their shell shop or have the shells scattered around the tank? What method should I use to find their bigger shell size? How many shells should I have in my tank in my situation of crab size difference? Is it best to buy shells in a range or all in one size? Thanks!

HCA recommends 3 to 5 extra shells per crab. How often your crab has changed shells in the past doesn't change that.
Of those 3-5 shells, they can be the same or larger, maybe by 1/8 to 1/4 inch, than what they are currently in. Maybe one that is a bit smaller, or just leave the last shell they were in, in the tank.
Whether in a 'shop' or scattered around is crabber preference, it doesn't make any difference to the crabs.

Have you looked at our 'shells' care sheet yet?

viewtopic.php?f=24&t=92552

I checked out the shell guide the last time I bought shells. One of my PPs is in a Mexican Turbo and the other is in a Petholatus Turbo. When I first got them, one was in an Apple Murex, so I try to provide one of those. The other one was in a pica shell when I got him. I want to buy a bigger size of a pica, but I can’t find a place that sells those. Right now I have 6 shells in a range of 0.8-1.1in openings. I just recently started making a shell shop, so the shells don’t get sand inside them. I have had my crabs bury shells before. I don’t want to wash the shells a lot LOL. Thank you!