The Shell Removal Experiment

[angelbear]

True. Don't dig for shells but on that note

My two that are up rigjt nkw currently have been dragging shells around the tank amd stashing them places this weekend. No shell chamges but they still activly examine the ones I put in their.

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[Hermiesguardian]

There has been no interest in either tank. I thought there was for a particular shell, but they were just climbing over it.

[Links]

I decided to leave mine in until I see my 3 other crabs. It’s been a one man show in the tank for a while.

[Crabsncritters]

Ok, no digging on this end (by humans at least)

[w h a l e b o n e]

Ok I'm in now I think. I just got 2 new crabs. One immediately changes into a blue turbo

[Links]

Well I was close to getting back in because one of my two tinys resurfaced after what seems like two months. He/she named strawberry is still in painted shell. Yesterday I noticed strawberry by the freshwater edge tucked in shell. But today strawberry is in the same spot and hanging out of the shell a bit. I touched the top of the shell very lightly and then lightly picked up on the shell and strawberry is limp and the big claw fell off. No movement either. Never saw strawberry eat or drink since I got him/her in February. Still waiting on her partner “cookie” to make an appearance.

Mr crabs and Crabby are doing well but I think mr crabs has finally gone down to molt. He’s been with me since October and not molted yet. Wish him and me luck.

Edit to add: forgot that I saw strawberry on some moss in top of some wood. I suppose strawberry munched on the moss and had enough energy to climb up there. So not sure why this happened just several days later.

[avocadocrabbies]

Hi! I just found this and I think it's a great idea. I'm removing my shells now and will put them back in once a week.
My crabbies:
Argyle: medium sized viola
Karen: medium sized purple pincer
Igor: smallish-medium ecuadorian
Mrs. Hurricane Sandy (or just Sandy): largish purple pincer

I have 3-4 extra shells per crab (15 total) and in the beginning when I first brought my crabbies home, they changed shells quite often and even exchanged shells among the ones they were currently wearing. After a while, none of them really changed shells and they don't even pay attention to the shells. In fact, when I spot clean and move toys around, I find that they often bury the shells or the shells become buried because of how often they walk on top of them (they get pushed into the substrate). I will start from today, and put the shells back in on Friday, leave them for 2 days, and take them out, repeat. I'll update here!

[angelbear]

I just thought Id pop back on. I know it has been a while. I kept up with the experiment even if I was not posting. I never saw any shell aggression and when I did put the shells in I made sure rhere was three per crab. Some weekends they were highly intrested. Some they ignored them. I did see a few small swaps and swap backs during this time as well. So it didnt seem to harm them any.

[KyMart]

I just thought Id pop back on. I know it has been a while. I kept up with the experiment even if I was not posting. I never saw any shell aggression and when I did put the shells in I made sure rhere was three per crab. Some weekends they were highly intrested. Some they ignored them. I did see a few small swaps and swap backs during this time as well. So it didnt seem to harm them any.

We never got any updates, how did it go?