Snail shells for hermit crabs?

[HermitCrabAddicted]

I had a quick question. My mother has a fish tank, and recently some of the snails in the tank died. She was going to give me the empty shells for my hermit crabs, but I wasn't sure if I could use them for my hermit crabs? They are VERY light and kinda thin. The look like a regular turbo shell besides being very light. Thanks.

[landlubber]

I would try it. Although I stock the tank with the ones I know they'll like, sometimes I put in more odd shells in there and there have been takers. I've had straws who will go in rock shells or tonna shells, and I've had little guys go into cone shells, nurites, maple leafs, and yes, some snail shells such as Land Fairy shells or candy striped they have gone into. Your mother's snail shells are free, you have an opportunity to "recycle" them-why not put them in and see what happens?

[hermitcrabdc]

I agree with landlubber. I had an E who loved his snail shell, found it at the creek.

[HermitCrabAddicted]

Ok awesome, thank you

[wodesorel]

The only problem with aquarium snails is that the shell won't be as thick as their wild or farmed counterparts. If they seem too thin, they could shatter. I've never had an aquarium snail with a shell thick enough to offer a hermit.

[HermitCrabAddicted]

Yea thats what I was thinking. These are pretty thin. I didnt end up putting them in the tank because was worried of that.

[Bonk]

I have Aussies, and they go CRAZY for snail shells. Not necessarily the ones you are discussing though. I have 5/10 crabs in different types of snail shells. However, I do know the type you are talking about, and I found tons of dead ones at the local petstore a while ago. They were quite happy for me to take them off of their hands, and I had one crab change into one. The rest had holes and were thin, so I crushed them up and used them as a calcium supplement (of course, this was after I saw one of my big crabs destroying one of them )

[CupidStunt]

Funny enough, I bought a couple 'Apple snail' shells, super cheap (like .99) because they were jumbo version of my more expensive turbo shells, just a bit thinner. My PPs originally favored the thinner shells before they outgrew them and were forced to change into the thicker shells.

I'm thinking maybe another molt or two and they might fit the snail shells.