Saltwater red legged hermit crab SHELLS

[Zena]

What kind of opening do saltwater red legged hermit crabs like?? Kind of shells ?? All the crabs seem to have cone shaped shells on but don't know if that is what they really like. Does anyone know what kind of shells I need to buy and keep in the tank. Right now all the crabs are really small but they will b growing quickly!

[Rebecca C]

I do not know anything about a shell preference, but you might benefit from taking a trip to a craft store or two and check out the shells that they have there. Sometimes there are all kinds of different types of shells and different sizes, that you can get for relatively cheap. You could see if they take a liking to any of them, and not have wasted much if they do not. I hope that works for you, or that others have a better idea for you.

[Shawn]

From what I've seen on them in the stores they will pretty much take any shell they can get. If a LHC will use it they most likely will too. From what I gather they change shells a lot anyway.

[parrothead]

These guys aren't picky at all and change 'clothes' nearly everyday if given enough of a 'wardrobe'. Most SWFS will give you empty shells (or at a small cost), but your best option is as mentioned, craft stores or the craft section of your local WM. Even the dollar store carries small baggies of these tiny shells and you can rinse and dump a handful on your substrate.

[Shawn]

Mine all take to mexican cerith snail shells and periwinkle snail shells, so far.