Hermit Crabs - Shells

[linda lee]

Where to get them or does someone have a bunch lying around that they no longer need? Do you just scatter various shells around the tank so these critters can upgrade from time to time?

I currently have a particular house-hunter (red-legged hermie) in my tank that's shopping around. I tossed some shells in in the tank (from a collection I've had in a basket since who-knows-when), and he's switched shells twice. He has now returned to his original abode.

(I know, kinda mundane topic, but this guy is going to be running around naked if I don't find him something he's comfortable wearing.)

If anyone has spare shells and can bring them to the BBQ, that would be great, or if someone could point me to an inexpensive local source (LFS?) that would be fine.

Lastly, are there "do's" and "don'ts" regarding replacement shells?

Thanks!

 

[flyingarmy]

Don't get him those painted one's you can by at the LFS. Not only "not reef safe" but if you have a hermit with poor tastes he'll end up with a clashing shell with the rest of your decor!

 

[platyplakia]

Also, I was told to boil all new shells in saltwater before adding. They can have unwanted critters and heaven only knows what else. I'm not %100 percent sure if that's true or not, but it made perfect sence to me and I do it to the ones I add.
Good luck.

 

[lorenk]

Whats worse is if he evicts one of your snails (then eats him).

 

[flyingarmy]

He might end up on of these if you give him a choice!
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[linda lee]

flyingarmy;56243 wrote: Don't get him those painted one's you can by at the LFS. Not only "not reef safe" but if you have a hermit with poor tastes he'll end up with a clashing shell with the rest of your decor!

darn... and I was just getting ready to submit my order for these....

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Seriously though... know where I can pick up some ordinary ol' shells? Aside from the beach? (And that's a WHOLE other thread that we don't want to venture into again.)

 

[glxtrix]

I know fish store and more sells empty shells....remember tho when getting shells, always get ones with larger opening...the bodies of the hermits arent that big but their main body obviously grows, so the larger the hole, the better.

 

[frewl]

It's Fishy Business has them for sale. I picked up 24 for 6 bucks but they weren't really big shells. But I can't see the bigger shells being much more.

 

[linda lee]

balagan;56245 wrote: Whats worse is if he evicts one of your snails (then eats him).

uh oh... they DO that?

darnit... now I'll need to dose my tank with cocktail sauce.

:yuk:

 

[lorenk]

They prefer garlic, butter and a bit of parsley.

 

[stroid]

Petland dunwoody sells them also

 

[stroid]

i remember correctly it was .20 a shell at petland dunwoody and you can pick them out...i got some really cool looking shells encrusted in coraline

 

[spike]

brad;56289 wrote: I'm pretty sure you can get a bag at Michaels. I could be wrong, but that's what I did. There are different sizes and it wasn't expensive. I just washed them real good before I put them in.

Micheals, sells them by the bag for crafts, cheap. A lot of the shells in the bag are not useful, but they are cheap.

 

[cameron]

Michaels is where I got mine.

 

[jetchris]

I have a bag of shells i can give you at the bbq. Just send me a pm the day before to remind me. They are old snail shells "great for hermit crabs."

 

[linda lee]

chrisjet;56303 wrote: I have a bag of shells i can give you at the bbq. Just send me a pm the day before to remind me. They are old snail shells "great for hermit crabs."

Thanks!

 

[jefft]

Michaels has various sizes and inexpensive.

 

[blind1993]

even walmart has some in their crafts section.