HCA: Hermit Crab Association

My hermie has never changed her shell. I have given her multiple options, same size, smaller, and bigger, all natural, not painted, ect. She has never changed her shell though I see her exploring her options frequently. I am getting concerned because the shell has developed two small holes in the back and is cracked near the front. It seems to me like she would want to change yet she appears to not be into it. Do some crabs just not want to change, or should I be trying harder? I explored this site last night and have ordered a larger assortment of large shells from a site recommended on here (Richard's) so I will be soaking those in salt water and giving them to her to check out when they get here. I don't want to worry if I shouldn't be, but I was under the impression they would want to change shells often.

What kind of hermit crab do you have? 1 of my Es wont change her shell but it is common for Es to hold to their shells for a long time.

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I have the same problem I've had a pp for about a month and she is in a painted shell, she won't let it go, it's starting to chip which concerns me and I have many shells of different sizes and types, she doesn't even look them over, guess when she ready she will

We had a crab that was similar-- he shopped around a lot and eventually even tried on a couple and always went back into his original shell that was all chipped and pitiful. He *finally* switched just before going down to molt.
I wouldn't worry too much-- if the little guy's shell isn't doing it's job well enough he'll switch.

Check the Shell guide that's stickied to make sure the kind of shells you're offering are the kind they like. If they are, and you have several available in the right sizes, all you can do is wait. They'll change when they're ready.

It's a good idea to boil shells (in freshwater, salt can ruin the polish) when they're new, to make sure they're sterilized before going in the tank.

I have one crab who just won't give up a shell once hes in it. I got him in a painted batman shell, he kept it forever. He finally changed, outgrew it, guess he had no choice, and he's kept the new shell forever. The funny thing is that the shell he likes is one of the varieties the shell guide on here says to avoid, but he loves it. All my other crabs are in green turbos, and to be fair, this guy tries on new shells ALL THE TIME, but always goes back to old reliable. I think some crabs just hang on to what works