HCA: Hermit Crab Association

I bought a bunch when I found the first store that sold shells... In hindsight... The largest shell I have has an opening of 1.5" and smallest 0.5" (I think I measured it right based on the attached photo..? Not sure). Does that mean whichever crabs I adopt, the big pincher shouldn't be bigger than 1.5"? Should I buy more bigger shells? Not sure how good a selection this is.

(I don't have any crabs yet, but just want to get ready)

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I measure across like this. This shell has a 1-1/8" opening.

It's a lot easier to have the crabs first then order shells for them. The crabs should be ok for a week or so without extras.

Once you have crabs you can measure their shells with them in it. Sometimes they try to be helpful and hold the tape measure for you!

When we order shells we usually get 2 shells 1/8" to 1/4" larger in size for each crab. If you have a few crabs the same size you can order more.

They can be super picky with shells. You can have what appears to be perfect shells and they always pick the one you never would think they would like because it's way too big or too small. Crabs are weird.

Edit: It looks like you have a decent start with the smaller shells. They look like they carry from around 1/2" up to around 3/4". They are usually the most common sized crabs you find.



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I think this is a good selection for starters if you don't have your crabs yet. My crabs never wore the top kind of light colored ones (sorry, can't remember what they are called, LOL). They liked those green turbos on the bottom, until Sonny got really big and now he just likes the pearl ones.

curlysister wrote:I think this is a good selection for starters if you don't have your crabs yet. My crabs never wore the top kind of light colored ones (sorry, can't remember what they are called, LOL). They liked those green turbos on the bottom, until Sonny got really big and now he just likes the pearl ones.

Oof k. Well, the light ones will be great decor then haha. I took a gamble at the time just cause they were much bigger haha.

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You never know....those might end up being your crabs' favs! Crabs are funny people sometimes LOL!

Mine are particularly picky. They will not wear turbos, but will wear Apple murex shells. I put in turbos, no interest. But, take those out and put in Apple murex, and BAM! They check them out. After wearing the new shells, though, the crabs go back to their old shells. Mine also will reject shells that are too thin and go for the ones that are thicker and heavier.