HCA: Hermit Crab Association

So i want netting. Lots of people use jute. Its tough to find jute we "trust".
How bout paracord? There are different types made different ways from different countries. But the way i see it paracord should be 100% nylon. Addatives are unnecessary and may even weaken the chord. If you buy american made it wont be bug bombed on a boat. It should be very durable abraision resistant and the chord itself shouldnt mold. Comes in all colors. You can buy it everywhere. Ive emailed a good couple sources for input (tripple sure)
Do we trust paracord? Say yes so i can get weaving!

The colored worries me tbh. Dyes have a habit of leeching out, so imo your taking a gamble...

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Haven't gotten responses from everybody yet but one survivalist who writes articles on paracord has told me he's never seen any of his paracord leach dye or fade color. To his knowledge paracord is never treated with anything as well. I'll keep digging.

I wouldn't use it. But...that's me.

Why so many doubts?
I mean what kind of scenario are you thinking about? ALL MY CRABS EXPLODE?! Nylon is a sythetic polymer...
its plastic.... Nylon is an inert substance. Im making sure there is no difference between it and the colored plastic plants tupperware and shower caddies everyone uses.
Beyond that how many tuperwares and shower caddies get sprayed for pests in transit? The reason im even looking THIS deep into it is to give this forum another option other than organic jute woven by welsh virgins.
Ill let you know what i find.

I've used it before. Worked for what I needed it for, and saw no issues with it. Held up great to crabby wear and tear.

I cannot type your name seriously wolf nipple it's even harder dictating it to my phone. thanks for your input I will eventually get some manufacturers on the phone.

Be paranoid, it's how your crabs will live the longest.

Saltwater inverts are known for being super sensitive to everything. Marine keepers are probably the most careful and paranoid pet owners, and for good reason. Our hermits are not very far removed from their entirely ocean dwelling cousins so we should be as well. While they have higher tolerances, they need to be thought of as saltwater creatures with similar systems. And they will attempt to eat everything.

Yes, nylon by itself is plastic and is mostly safe. (As safe as plastic can be, they will try to eat it.) However, chemicals that are used to dye, or set dye, or prevent sticking to machines, or used to make it less likely to melt, or for making it look pretty for sale, or etc etc can all contribute to an early death for a hermit. Our tanks are very tiny and also are a closed system. It's not like any chemicals that do get added will be diluted.

I am very open to trying things for my cats and my reptiles and to a much smaller extent my amphibians, but my hermits get treated like my fish - only if I am absolutely sure it is safe does it get anywhere near them. Some of my fish are going on 13 years, and some of my crabs 9. I think it works well.

And there is always fish net from the craft store that we do know is safe, and no need to learn how to crochet.

Point Assuradly well taken.


I just got off the phone with a knowledgable rep in a 200 year old company in New York called Gladding, a us manufacturer. I poked and prodded the rep for info from multiple angles. I mentioned the extreme sensitivity of marine animals. I mentioned everything from metals dyes oils preservatives etc etc and what it boiled down to was this. Paracord was in fact not designed for pet care by any means. But he does consider nylon paracord to be 100% nylon. As in he can't think of a single thing that paracord would be manfactured with that would not be considered just nylon. It's a fibrous woven stringy plastic plant or Bowl. It's specifically designed to be wear and rot resistant. In his own words "inert". If I don't find any readily available and affordable APPROVED products I just may go in on some good ol US-made commercial paracord.

What IS for certain? Death and taxes? So eat dessert first and love your crabs while you have them. ( that can go for friends and family too)

Did you end up using paracord?
I found Jute, but everything I read, says its probably treated because it has a smell.
how do we find something affordable that we can make things with?