HCA: Hermit Crab Association

can i still use this shell with a hole in it?

I think it would be ok since it's not further back where stored water could leak out.
Do you have purple pinchers? They prefer shells with round openings, like turbos. So they may ignore that shell anyway.

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yes but i have a lot of turbo shells anyways


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Hermitcrab273 wrote: ↑

Sun Feb 19, 2023 10:58 pm

can i still use this shell with a hole in it?

NO please do not use ANY shells with holes in them. Hermit crabs have very sensitive abdomens. Holes are sharp and can cause injuries to their soft abdomens which can result in death.

GotButterflies wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 03, 2023 3:03 pm

NO please do not use ANY shells with holes in them. Hermit crabs have very sensitive abdomens. Holes are sharp and can cause injuries to their soft abdomens which can result in death.

Edit: When I come across shells like this I put them aside for donation for crafts or I crush them for calcium usage.

GotButterflies wrote: NO please do not use ANY shells with holes in them. Hermit crabs have very sensitive abdomens. Holes are sharp and can cause injuries to their soft abdomens which can result in death.

Thanks for the info on this GB!

I had a hole in a nice shell and used Aves Apoxie Sculpt to patch it. It is aquarium safe and completely cures within 24 hours. I currently have a crab that's been wearing that shell for a few months now.

https://www.amazon.com/Apoxie-Sculpt-Na ... 13d670b6bc

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I've always offered shells with holes, but they almost never have any takers. If it's bothering the crab they'll change or just not take it in the first place. It's not like we're forcing them to wear it.