Picky hermie doesn't like any shells!

[ExtrovertedHermit]

I am brand new to this. I've only had my 5 PPs for a little less than 2 weeks. I brought them home in the little kritter keeper that they come with. They had to spend a few days in there as I had tadpoles in my aquarium and a few were yet to turn into frogs. I set it up properly with deep substrate, both types of water, moss, climbing stick, etc. Everything was actually going very well. Until I put them in the aquarium!

After I setup the aquarium and placed them all in, one went immediately to trying to take the other's shells. I only had 2 extra shells at the time, so I separated him and ran out to 3 different pet stores and brought back at least 10 different shells. He didn't like any of them (tried several on but moved back). I've since ordered shells on amazon, and found several turbos in a box of decorative shells I had. I've presented him with no less than 25 different shells in different sizes, weights, and opening shapes. He's rejected all of them! They're all boiled and perfectly clean.

I even thought maybe he was over his "grouchy spell" and put him back in with the others and he again went immediately to his friends and started trying to take their shells. He practically ran to them!! What do I do? I want to put him back with the others because I know the kritter keeper isn't good for him long term, but I don't want to do it until he finds a shell that he likes. I can't handle a fight and don't want to lose one like that.

[C_fiesta]

Hi! Hermies are funny. I would suggest dipping all your crabs in the freshwater in the tank so they all smell the same. That will sometimes kill the aggression issues. That's the easy step you can take right now.
There are other more advanced troubleshooting we can try including isolating him until he molts (because molts can sometimes do a "brain reset" and makes everything better). But let's try the bathing thing first.

What size tank do you have them in?

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[ExtrovertedHermit]

Thank you for your reply! They're in a 10 gallon aquarium. I really don't want to put him back now because i have 2 missing that I'm assuming are molting and the other two are probably getting ready to. Since he seems aggressive, i don't want him in there with molters. I offered him 3 new shells last night. Hey tried one on but had moved back by morning.

[Fledgling]

I would definitely upgrade your tank size. The HCA recommends having at least 5 gallons of space per crab, but bigger is always better. Keeping 5 crabs in a 10 gal is very overcrowded. Also, have you read the shell guide on this website? It goes over the appropriate and inappropriate shells for PPs.

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[GotButterflies]

Hello! Welcome to the HCA

A few things. Please fill this out so that we can help you! http://hermitcrabassociation.com/phpBB/ ... 27&t=46102

There is a wonderful shell guide on here, however, the pictures aren't posting due to the recent issues with Photobucket. I recommend looking at the names and checking them out on the internet. Shell guide: http://hermitcrabassociation.com/phpBB/ ... 24&t=92552
Unfortunately the pet stores do not sell the right kind of shells for hermit crabs. You will have better luck at craft stores like Michaels, JoAnns Fabrics, Hobby Lobby. They all accept each other's coupons by the way 40% off is helpful! Download their apps! Also, ebay is a great place, as well as our shopping resources guide: http://www.hermitcrabassociation.com/pa ... pping.html The HCA recommends 3-5 shells per crab. I personally recommend more. It never hurts to have more shells. Boil first in dechlorinated fresh water, then dip in dechlorinated marine salt water. They will go crazy over them

A great place to find a cheap tank with all supplies included would be craigslist, offerup, letgo, bookoo, classifieds, etc. Look for tank, aquarium, reptile, terrarium

[wodesorel]

I would definitely upgrade your tank size. The HCA recommends having at least 5 gallons of space per crab, but bigger is always better. Keeping 5 crabs in a 10 gal is very overcrowded. Also, have you read the shell guide on this website? It goes over the appropriate and inappropriate shells for PPs.

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It comes down to the size of the crabs. We do not have a set gallon per crab recommendation. If they are all the size of a dime or nickel then 5 in a 10 is more than enough space for a couple of years. If they're bigger crabs though then they could be seriously crammed and at much higher risk for interrupted molts and territorial fights.

[Fledgling]

I would definitely upgrade your tank size. The HCA recommends having at least 5 gallons of space per crab, but bigger is always better. Keeping 5 crabs in a 10 gal is very overcrowded. Also, have you read the shell guide on this website? It goes over the appropriate and inappropriate shells for PPs.

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It comes down to the size of the crabs. We do not have a set gallon per crab recommendation. If they are all the size of a dime or nickel then 5 in a 10 is more than enough space for a couple of years. If they're bigger crabs though then they could be seriously crammed and at much higher risk for interrupted molts and territorial fights.

Sorry, I was mostly going off of the graph in the sizing thread and the assumption that the crabs came from a pet store. From what I've seen in my area, most pet stores stock smalls and the occasional mediums. The smallest I've seen in a store is about quarter sized.

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[ExtrovertedHermit]

Thanks everyone. I looked at the shell guide and i am using the correct type of shells. I will look for a larger aquarium. But whay do i do about Mr. Grouchy Pants in the meantime? I would like to be able to put him back with the others.

[C_fiesta]

Thanks everyone. I looked at the shell guide and i am using the correct type of shells. I will look for a larger aquarium. But whay do i do about Mr. Grouchy Pants in the meantime? I would like to be able to put him back with the others.

Have you tried bathing him in the freshwater? You could try doing that with everyone who is up and rearranging the decor a small bit. It might throw him off. I would then put him in the tank and observe for as long as your able.

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[ExtrovertedHermit]

Yes. I gave them all a bath in the same spring water with stress coat and dried him separately. I put them all back in the large aquarium and he took off after then others a fast run! He is my most active... I feel like I am breaking his spirit in this kritter keeper. I may just accept it and buy a second aquarium for him. Can a big bully live alone?

[C_fiesta]

Yes, hermit crabs can live alone. I would set him up in the new smaller tank and after he molts, try adding him to the main tank again. Sometimes the molt does a brain reset.

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[ExtrovertedHermit]

He's pretty dark, so I'm guessing he's not going to molt anytime soon. And I don't think I can get the substrate deep enough in the kritter keeper. I'm going to have to buy him another aquarium, aren't I? Such a diva!

[Hermias_mom]

Second hand tanks are fine for crabs. They don't have to hold water. Craigslist, thrift stores, yardsales, etc. are good places to look. Might save you a few bucks. Best of luck!

[ExtrovertedHermit]

Just bought a 38 gallon... I'm going to move the other 4 into that one, and put the a-hole in the 10 gallon.

[ExtrovertedHermit]

I sat on the back porch last night with all of my shells and my husband's dremel and sanded down all of the openings. Just in case they were too rough for him. He didn't take any of the 3 that I put in with him last night. Although I can tell he checked them all out. He is driving me nuts!!!