HCA: Hermit Crab Association

I have heard that painted shells are not good, but is there a paint I can use that won't hurt the crabs?

Consider 'dying' the shells using crushed up berries? IMO, theres not really any paint thats safe as they tend to wear off after a while due to the heat/humidity....

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Painted shells are very controversial bc the non toxic paint to us, still may be toxic to them. I personally don’t use the painted shells but if you want to offer them to your crabs, they are your animals. If they pick them or not would be up to them. Forcing them into them and things that they go through to get to the pet stores is just unspeakable, I can’t stand the thought. They are your crabs though, I’m not trying to sound any type of way but you know what is best for your crabbies.


♡ Rod ♡ Salty ♡ Bob ♡ Squirt ♡ Crabina ♡
»-♡-> Our Purple Pinchers »-♡->

No, I was just wondering if there was a way I could spruce up the tank safely, and also found a way to tell which hermit crab is which.

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We observe our crabs and learn their personalities and attitudes to tell them apart

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mine look so different! salsa is bigger, acorn has the freindliest personality! mango is orange, and shadow is shy and white/purple.

Princess R. wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 08, 2019 5:47 pm

No, I was just wondering if there was a way I could spruce up the tank safely, and also found a way to tell which hermit crab is which.

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Once they start switching shells, even with a dot of paint, there's no way to know who's who. Unless you really know their personalities.

I just know mine by size now! Sonny has been larger than Cher since very shortly after I got them.

well Angela and Bubbles are nearly identical, and I used to tell them apart with their painted shells.

I can tell my guys apart by their color and attitude.

Princess R. wrote: ↑

Sat Apr 13, 2019 8:34 am

well Angela and Bubbles are nearly identical, and I used to tell them apart with their painted shells.

They can trade their shells, I've had it happen before!

wodesorel wrote: ↑

Wed May 01, 2019 1:51 am

They can trade their shells, I've had it happen before!

I did too, it was so confusing when I noticed that two of my crabs were in each other's shells!

Do the dotted patterns on their legs change with their molts or would they stay the same similar to our fingerprints? If they stay the same it may be possible to take close up photos of the patterns and keep records that way too.