Best types of shells for Es 1“ opening and larger?

[fraksocks]

My Es are growing so rapidly that I'm having trouble keeping up with their shell needs. Guess it's time to put in another shell order lol. Before I do I wanted to get some advice on what types of shells might be best to look for. I've tried offering them turbos (since I know that some Es do accept this type of shell) and other "odd ball" types like land snails in the past and they've shown no interest.

[CallaLily]

I offer some turbos, fig shells, frog shells, moon snail, whale's eye, Babylonia, murex, fox shells, kings crown, etc. Basically any D shaped openings I can find that seem appropriate with some round or oval shapes thrown in. My Es do not change shells often. Gally is in a tapestry turbo that he changed into shortly after I adopted him about....a year ago I think. Solembum has been in what I think is some sort of whelk shell for a few years. One-Eyed Willy and Mrs. Penstemmon are still in the shells they were wearing when I adopted them in May. Yeah, I think I should keep an eye on this thread...

[fraksocks]

Oh goodness I can't imagine my guys staying in shells that long right now. Maybe if they ever stop growing like crazy on me. They've gone from "swimming" in 5\8“ opening nerites to being "goldilocks" in 1“ opening roomy pre-mod moon snails. Admittedly, I have tried very hard to procure pre-mod shells from other sources (thank goodness for wolf) so they have been pretty spoiled up until now.

[CallaLily]

A few of mine are pre-mod too. I'll have to see if I can get my hands on some more though. At this point, they are in the typical too-small shells that Es seem to prefer but nothing ridiculously small.

[wodesorel]

Reevi Turbos (often sold as small sized Tapestries - these are the pinkish ones that are rarely over an inch in size) were used. Mexican aka Striped Turbos were really popular, since they come from the same region as Es and are light in weight. Starry Night Moon Shells (bright orange) were in constant use for years, but they can be hard to find. My biggest liked striped tonna, and surprisingly upgraded from a small one to a huge one when it was offered. Bai shells were also in demand, but they didn't like the other babylonia species so much. They also occasionally used Fairy Land shells. The tiny light-weight green turbos were also a hit, but it's hard to find the thin ones over an inch.

The biggest thing with Es is not to worry. Give them a selection, and then just sit back and wait. They know what they're doing! They're built for tiny shells so they can pick up and run away quickly when something scary is around, whereas other species choose to hunker down like a tank until danger has passed. They will continue to wear the same shell for years so long as their butts fit and they feel the shell is offering enough protection.

[fraksocks]

I wish that the starry night moon shells came in bigger sizes because you're right they do really like them.

Ok I will try not worry. They haven't exactly been typical Es since they've each been in at least 4 different shells during the past year so I think it's made me a bit frantic trying to keep up with them as they've grown lol. I think my PPs and Es switched personalities. My Es are little pigs that switch shells frequently and my PPs are picky eaters that hang onto their shells for a long time...sigh.

[ErikRasmussen]

Is it true that the availability of other shells influences their growth cycles?

[fraksocks]

Mine have certainly grown like crazy but I'm not sure that it's (just) due to the shells that they've had available. My PPs tend to grow pretty quickly too so it may have more to do with their diet and overall care than one factor like shell availability. However, I've certainly noticed that the addition of new and highly desirable shells may trigger a new round of molts, especially for crabs that haven't molted in a while.

[CallaLily]

Mine seem to molt at a normal rate and the ones that have been with me longer have certainly grown (2 I've only had since May). They just cling to shells, even when they become way too small. I will definitely have to pick up more striped turbos and keep an eye out for more pre-mod shells though.

[wodesorel]

There have been studies that show that in the wild they will only grow to the size of the largest shells available. That means that each species tops out at the max size of native shells. Because there is no way to permanently mark a hermit crab and follow it over time, I'm not sure if anyone has done long-term studies to see if the shells an individual crab is wearing determines its size overall. I've adopted some crabs that were huge for the shell they were wearing and what was available, so I'm not convinced that they can stop getting bigger at will.

[ErikRasmussen]

Yes I agree, to me it never seemed like the deciding factor in terms of growth but It makes sense that it might be an influencing variable in the equation.

[fraksocks]

Good news! I was hanging out with one of my friends and we decided to go to a local flea market and one of the vendors had some sea shells. I picked up the three in the picture for $3 . The biggest welk has an opening of over an inch!