Over Hill Over Dale, Will my Hermie Ever Pick a New Shell?

Kittykimbro@att.net · Post by **Kittykimbro@att.net** » Wed Feb 17, 2016 3:48 pm

One of my smaller medium sized PPs chose a shell from the shop. It is located behind the fresh and salt water pools on the left side of my 55g tank. S/he carried this shell up out of the shell shop, into the pool and out, down that ramp, across the entire length of the tank, up a vine and into the moss pit, only to leave it there, empty and abandoned. The one s/he is in now is a painted one and I am anxious for him/ her to have a new one. Any ideas as to why all of the work and no change of shells?

Ilovehermies74 · Post by **Ilovehermies74** » Thu Feb 18, 2016 6:01 pm

She probiblyn just decided it was too small or something my crabs have done that. If you want to pursuade her into a shell you can wash it out with salt water it works for my crabs (or atleast gets them interested.)

Kittykimbro@att.net · Post by **Kittykimbro@att.net** » Thu Feb 18, 2016 7:26 pm

I rinsed them all in the salt water but to no avail. I was just amazed that she would carry it that far and then just leave it. Such a work out. Glad to know that she is not the only one to do it. Thanks so much for the reply.

Ilovehermies74 · Post by **Ilovehermies74** » Sat Feb 20, 2016 1:21 pm

Yeah no problem

I assume she will eventually change out of the painted shell so pay attention and when she does, take it out so no other hermit crabs change into it

Krusty Krab · Post by **Krusty Krab** » Mon Feb 22, 2016 8:55 pm

After you take the shell out you can take off the paint. I did it with 1,000,000 toothpicks and distilled white vinegar. After that he will have the shell all to himself.

Kittykimbro@att.net · Post by **Kittykimbro@att.net** » Mon Feb 22, 2016 10:17 pm

Krusty Krab wrote:After you take the shell out you can take off the paint. I did it with 1,000,000 toothpicks and distilled white vinegar. After that he will have the shell all to himself.

He did switch and I am going to try that. I have an old metal dental pick that I use for crafts, I think I will give that a try instead of toothpicks. Do you think it will be too harsh?

Krusty Krab · Post by **Krusty Krab** » Wed Feb 24, 2016 9:17 am

Since she loves that shell so much I would use the dental one if there is still chips of paint on it, that a few toothpicks can't get off.
Hermies are sensitive to Chemicals. So just to be safe when you are done soak it (or boil it) in salt water.

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Kittykimbro@att.net · Post by **Kittykimbro@att.net** » Wed Feb 24, 2016 2:14 pm

Thanks.

HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Over Hill Over Dale, Will my Hermie Ever Pick a New Shell?

Over Hill Over Dale, Will my Hermie Ever Pick a New Shell?

Re: Over Hill Over Dale, Will my Hermie Ever Pick a New Shel

Re: Over Hill Over Dale, Will my Hermie Ever Pick a New Shel

Re: Over Hill Over Dale, Will my Hermie Ever Pick a New Shel

Re: Over Hill Over Dale, Will my Hermie Ever Pick a New Shel

Re: Over Hill Over Dale, Will my Hermie Ever Pick a New Shel

Re: Over Hill Over Dale, Will my Hermie Ever Pick a New Shel

Re: Over Hill Over Dale, Will my Hermie Ever Pick a New Shel