HCA: Hermit Crab Association

I'm getting ready to spend out a ton on new shells for the new guys. I've noticed almost every straw I see is in a Turbo shell. What I want you to tell me is what kind of turbo are your straws in. Tapestry, Jade, Banded, Gold Mouth? Do they prefer one over the other? I've only witnessed one of the new guys try on a new shell and it was the dolphin turbo. I was also wondering if anybody has found turbos with a 1 1/2 inch opening lately? I have found 1, 1 1/4, 1 3/4, and 2 inch openings, but not the 1 1/2. I've checked Naples and EBay and can't find anything [smilie=banghead.gif]

My small straw is in a cancellaria shell and has been for about a year and a half now. My larger ones have been in polished jade turbos. They do seem to prefer the turbos, but I havent noticed a particular preference in type of turbo.

I've had straws that like the sliver and gold mouthed turbos. They really aren't too picky (except for my Zack, two shells in 6 months time-both turbos, one gold mouthed and the other a green Jade), they've been in a Tapastry turbo too, a King Crown shell, Ashely has been in a Bursa shell for forever, they seem to like the Murexs too, that black spikey Murex (always forget what they are called) and Candy is now in a Pink Murex. Most of the straws I have had have been real shell shoppers.

They have been shopping, but everything I have is the same size as what they have or smaller. I just wanted a few opinions before I paid $10-15 per shell.

Thanks for the quick replies guys

Dont pay that much per shell! LOL Go to the craft stores. Even the large individual shells they have are less than that. Once at Walmart in the loose shell section I found a HUGE turbo with about a 1 1/2" opening for like $4.

I've found two large turbos but they are pretty heavy, I put one in tonight to see if they will give it a try. I have two very large pink murex, but nobody even lifts a claw at them . I'm trying to talk BF into going to the beach for a mini vacation to go deep sea fishing AKA shell shopping on the boardwalk .

I got one in a blk/white Murex and the other is in a Tapestry--nobody likes the gold mouth I think its due to the weight.....The Tapestry is light and pretty anyway. Hang in there when you least expect it someone will take those shells.........I have hope for some of the most expensive shells in my tank

I have found too that no one likes the gold mouth turbos! I cant tell you how many I had bought in the past thinking that someone would like them. In all my years and all the crabs and shells Ive had, no one's ever worn one! Too bad because I think they are one of the nicest looking shells.

I cant get anyone in a gold mouth turbo either grrrrr
1 straw likes spoted taperstry turbo's and the smaller straw is in a green turbo

both of mine were in really ugly turbos, all brownish/grey. i bet that type of shell doesn't have a name because its too ugly .

Caroline

My largest straw wore a silver mouth turbo for quite a while after I got him, but he's been sporting a Japanese Land snail shell that's too small for him for the past few days. My smaller straw is in some type of shell that I'm guessing is in the murex family?!?!? Dunno, it kinda looks like them only it's green and white striped and is REALLY worn down. I swear it looks like mold is growing on it, but I promise it's clean. Dunno. They've been looking around at my turbos and murex shells. I need to go shell shopping too, but it'll have to wait til I get more money. I gotta move very soon, so money is tight.

Both of my straws are in brownish green turbos, almost looks like camo (not sure of the name) that they came from Petco in. All the Petco hermies around here seem to be wearing the same kind of shell. I see very few painted ones anymore. The smaller straw switches back and forth between the shell he came in and a green turbo. Neither have touched the murexes even though I have some in both their sizes.

Our Straw Jonesy, a medium female, is in a beautiful banded tapestry turbo. She was originally in a crap whelk shell (I think) and changed shells 3-5 times very quickly before settling on the one she is in.