HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Could someone point me in the right direction on new shell care? I looked under shells but only seen recommended approved shells for crabs n not what to do before adding new shells, I thought someone had said boil them 5mins then dip in saltwater?
Aldo have some wood pieces n seen where someone mentioned baking them in the oven?
I bought a mixed bag of shells and wondered if any of these were not best for my PP? Looking at list they seemed be ok but just wanted to double check.....




Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I bring dechlorinated water to rolling boil and drop shells in. I boil for 8-10 mins. Take them out, let them cool, then just put them in tank. The shell selection you have is okay for tiny/small crabs IMO because they're D or () shaped. Smaller crabs usually prefer these. Some medium PPs will wear these as well. However, with my PPs, I noticed my bigger ones prefer the turbos (O shaped) over the D shaped.... It's best to offer 4 or 5 shells per crab and to give them a variety of sizes to choose from.

Yes, you can bake wood in oven. This removes all bugs and other contaminates. Set oven to 200° and bake for at least 40 mins. The bigger the wood, the longer you bake... Some people soak in marine salt water and then bake. Soaking reduces the chances of mold growth.

Sent from my HTC6515LVW using Tapatalk

All of those shells are okay to offer but none are preferred by purple pinchers. They might take one, but probably not. Look for shell mixes with turbos in them next time. I boil mine in dechlorinated tap water for a few minutes, cool and then rinse in dechlorinated salt water.

You can bake the wood before or after soaking it in salt water, but I don't. I would only treat wood that has been wild sourced. I usually just pop the wood I buy directly into the tank. If humidity is low, I might soak the wood in some dechlorinated water first but that's about all I do.

I had already thrown in the turbos in this batch. Of course after 2hrs crab grabbed him a turbo! Lol



Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

https://vimeo.com/195716477


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

mool wrote:All of those shells are okay to offer but none are preferred by purple pinchers. They might take one, but probably not. Look for shell mixes with turbos in them next time. I boil mine in dechlorinated tap water for a few minutes, cool and then rinse in dechlorinated salt water.

You can bake the wood before or after soaking it in salt water, but I don't. I would only treat wood that has been wild sourced. I usually just pop the wood I buy directly into the tank. If humidity is low, I might soak the wood in some dechlorinated water first but that's about all I do.

Thanks Mool, I did boil n treat shells as you said!
Now need get on my wood!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

i do the same with my shells for cleaning. also out of my four PP's three have or are in those type of shells. they do wear turbos the most tho so options are always good. also once a week when im cleaning water and scooping poop, food off the sub i will mix things up. add or remove shell. then any i keep in (if its a favorite or one iv seen someone looking at) i will spray them with fresh water then salt or dip. since my tank is always pretty humid i soak my wood in SW then bake and mist once a week with SW. no problems since.

something i also thought i should mention because im not sure if i saw it mentioned. i also check to make sure any shells i offer dont have any holes or cracks in them.

In the picture in the second row on the very left, crabs typically won't wear those.

PinchersAndShells wrote:In the picture in the second row on the very left, crabs typically won't wear those.

My smallest Tina does. I think its just because of her size and the fact they are so light.

I am being on adding anything for enrichment since they would walk miles and miles in the wild and any tank is small by those standards. I also like to put any shell in that isnt cracked, has a hole or other wise unsafe. My hermits love checking out new shells and its kinda funny to watch them angrily bat away ones that dont work lol. Thats just me tho.

Sent from my SM-G900P using Tapatalk

I know, I was just putting it out there that they aren't preferred. I think the only one who's worn one in my bunch is Dusty only because I had to reshell him after a shell fight.

PinchersAndShells wrote:I know, I was just putting it out there that they aren't preferred. I think the only one who's worn one in my bunch is Dusty only because I had to reshell him after a shell fight.

Aww poor Dusty. I just think its funny my hermits seem to always try on and occasionally wear the unpreferred shell types. I feel like you never really know what these little guys are gonna do

Sent from my SM-G900P using Tapatalk

Just Jay wrote: Aww poor Dusty. I just think its funny my hermits seem to always try on and occasionally wear the unpreferred shell types. I feel like you never really know what these little guys are gonna do

Sent from my SM-G900P using Tapatalk

He's doing okay now though, and he got the shell back. I don't know why but the one who was typically the aggressor liked to pull the others out of their shells, check them out, go back and forth switching, and then go back to his original one. Since I have more shells now he doesn't do that, but he still switches to shells in the shell shop, then instantly go back to his original shell. If I didn't know any better, I'd say he acts like an E!

Hahaha. Sounds like! Could be a few things. Not fully happy in his shell but its modified and none of the new ones will be better if he modifies them himself so hes savings himself the work. He could just be having fun? Or maybe even its a case of the grass seemingly greener.. on the other shell? Hahaha

Sent from my SM-G900P using Tapatalk