Preferred Shell Guide

[mrsharrison]

I've only got Aussies (in Australia thats all we can have) and out of 11 crabs they are in 9 different shells. I have 2 in Murex Tenuispena and one in a drupe murex, 2 in green/jade turbos, then one in a bonnet, a nerite, a zeacumantus (Mud-creeper) and the rest I'm not sure because I haven't checked. It is so difficult to be sure of the shells they are in as there are so many out there that are very similar. For example my 2 in Murex Tenuispena, I was positive thats what they were until I ordered some Tenuispena spares and they look completely different because they are all clean and shiny white with long spines an my crab's shells are a dull creamy/beige colour with short spines but these appear to be the shells they were wearing in the wild. The quality of the shells the crabs find on the beach is very different from the shiny young shells that are found in the reefs. When the shells are as old as they are before hermies use them, I'm sure hundreds of years in some cases, they are quite worn and look nothing like they were supposed to.

[Bridgitmac80]

So still confused on shell shopping for my PP's (will still be researching before buying anymore shells)..............I need to get one of those things to measure the openings of the shells they are in now I guess. But are these shells good for PP's?

http://www.shellhorizons.com/details.as ... -12&Page=3

[wodesorel]

You can eyeball the measurement with a ruler and be okay. Just try to get a range of sizes around what they need just in case you make a mistake. (Which you should have anyways, so that's why an exact measurement isn't so important.) I had never used a caliper until I sold some extra shells I had, and never had a problem getting the right sized shells for my guys.

The shells you linked to is normally not taken by hermit crabs. I've seen a photo of a crab in one of those shells only once! It's a shame since they are so pretty, but for PPs turbo shells are a much better choice.

[Bridgitmac80]

Thanks Wode. You have been my life saver for the past month lol. I didn't think they would take to that one since it wasn't a more round opening. They have a variety of shells anyway, which they just switched 3 weeks ago, so should be awhile from another swap but figure I will buy up shells when I can. Course that particular shell link (21/2") will be WAY too big for my guys.

[wodesorel]

Aw, thanks!!

Please keep in mind that the 2 1/2 measurement is of the entire shell NOT the opening. Those shells probably have an opening of around 3/4 to 1 inch. That store gives overall shell length on their products. Wolf has another guide in this section on how to figure out what the opening size is based on the total length. (Turbos are easy - their opening size is half their overall length, so a 2 inch turbo has an opening of 1 inch.)

[Bridgitmac80]

So glad you told me that!!!! WOW I would have been buying up shells like mad thinking that was the opening size. I think my best bet is gonna be buying shells in person lol (unless it's a turbo!)

I hope to come across some at Hobby Lobby next week.