HCA: Hermit Crab Association

I have three hermit crabs and 7 extra shells in their crabitat. Every time they have changed shells, they always change back to the original one. Just wondering why they do this. I have bought various different types of shells and none of them seem to satisfy my three.

If you could provide pictures of the crabs, thier shells and openings then the shells you have for them to move into, we can maybe help you figure out if there is really an issue or just picky crabs. It could be either

I will do that when I get home tonight. I have tried all different kinds, this time I got the Turbot shells because that is what they are in now, but will definately provide pics later. Thx.

I'm pretty sure you mean turbo, right? If you have clean turbo shells in there for them of the right size, than they are probably just picky. I would like to see some pictures like kuza said.

I normally take their old shells out after they change because 90% of the time theyre cracked or chipped.

We were having a similar issue with ours; constantly checking out the shells and switching back and forth. I think they are all PPs and they all came in turbos, so we had provided them with a nice selection beautiful turbos in assorted sizes - all apparently unsatisfactory. We finally ordered a couple packs of assorted shells and within two days all 3 crabs had chosen new shells. They seem fairly content now; no one has switched for several days. Their final choices were:

Gale: cancellaria
Gonzales: tiger moon
Rue: mutabilis (that is too big for her but maybe she just likes driving around in a tank)

I'm starting to wonder if I need to read them the various "preferred shell lists" since they seem to be sadly mis-informed!

Odd, mine have followed the preferred list to a T.

PP1- Spotted turbo
PP2 - banded turbo
E1 - Tuna
E2 - Forget name but it's D shape
E3 - Babalonia
E4 - Mexican Turbo

beccaviolett wrote:I normally take their old shells out after they change because 90% of the time theyre cracked or chipped.

I'm not sure if that is a good idea unless if yuo know they are chipped. I would leave them in there for w while in case if the crabs do want to change back, because if they change back it means that they prefer their old shell, and not giving them the opportunity to change back may stress them out.

kuza, what's a tuna shell? or maybe another name for tonna?

whatever this shell is

kuza wrote:whatever this shell is

ah, awesome I have a couple of those, but don't know the name

ya they are super easy to get at craft stores and E's seem t love them