HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

very pretty

Is it big?

Hey, I have a Shelldon too! Well He has an extra "L" though He looks about the same size as Yours and even has the same kind of shell. Unfortunentely His shell is painted It's the shell He came in. I've been trying for a while to get Him to switch to His plethora of new shells but He's one stubborn crab! Poor thing has way outgrown His current one.

GAPeach252121 wrote: ↑

Tue Apr 19, 2022 1:03 pm

Hey, I have a Shelldon too! Well He has an extra "L" though He looks about the same size as Yours and even has the same kind of shell. Unfortunentely His shell is painted It's the shell He came in. I've been trying for a while to get Him to switch to His plethora of new shells but He's one stubborn crab! Poor thing has way outgrown His current one.

Interesting dilemma! I wonder if there is a way to "encourage" a crab to abandon an unhealthy shell. Like, maybe if you stuck weights on it, he'd decide it's too much trouble to haul around?

crabocado wrote: ↑

Tue Apr 19, 2022 10:20 pm

Interesting dilemma! I wonder if there is a way to "encourage" a crab to abandon an unhealthy shell. Like, maybe if you stuck weights on it, he'd decide it's too much trouble to haul around?

No, there really isn't any way to force them to take a new shell -something like adding weight to the shell could make him simply drop the shell and go naked, since there aren't any others in the tank he wants right now.
All you can do is ensure there are similar sizes and a bit bigger, if appropriate types of shells. What type is the old painted one? What types of natural ones do you have in the tank?

Thanks for all Yalls interest in my little Shelldon! I do have all sorts of new natural (only way to go) ones in the tank! He has only shown interest in them like twice though. He is a purple pincher btw. Shelldon briefly did switch into one of the new candy cane shells right in front of Me. He could literally barely pull His obviously outgrown for the shell body out of the tight shell. I was shocked at just how big and plump His little body was, like a caterpillar compared to my other Hermit crab Myrtle! Maybe it was the small shell in comparison, or maybe it was the fact that I have only seen Shelldon eat once, but after seeing Him switch I ran around the house yelling "He did it!!!" and doing a happy dance-but I didn't know if I should remove His old shell right from under His nose bc I know they sometimes just try on new shells and aren't sure if they are a forever (or at least until the next shell change) shell. I was going to actually post the question in a forum here to see what some of the more experienced crabbers thought. But as I got back from my happy dancing He was already tighly back into His old, painted shell .

Anyways back to Your original question- after doing A LOT of research on the proper shell opening sizes and types I bought green turbos for Him, candy cane shells (I just LOVE the coloring), and rock shells. His current shell is a oyster drill...☠painted☠. I've tried moving the shells around, placing the ones most like His near Him. I even put in ones His same size on the off chance that He just likes a snug fit. I'm just so worried about Him. Every article I've read just says there is nothing You can do except be patient. Other than the shell He is a very happy, healthy crab. Any advise??

Which shell is he in now?

He is still in His original painted one, an oyster drill shell. He has been in it since I got Him-with the exception of swapping out breifly to a candy cane shell for 5 mins a few weeks ago.

I tried posting a few photos using the recommended sites but I couldn't get any of them to work and some didn't even exist anymore.