HCA: Hermit Crab Association®

[lastchance00]

Hi, i got an indo form exoticlandhermitcrabs.com, came to me in a small shell. Can't full pull himself into the shell, a green turbo shell. The mouth is really broke and found dents, and creaks. I put him under a magnifier lens, and noted that the hair line breaks all over the shell. I have try explaining to my crab he needs a new shell, just looks at me like i am crazy. i need solutions to my crab problem. i would take a picture but he runs fast and i can never get a good zoom on him
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an indo, named Samson.
an E, named ???.

18yr old cat, Babyboy.

[meldamiriel]

He might actually be comfortable in his shell.

I have one crab that likes shells so big you can't see him when he pulls all the way in. I also have a crab that always hangs out of his shell even when he's pulled in as far as he can get.

I have plenty of shells in every size they could ever use and in all sorts of varieties and they just won't change.

So, as long as you have a good variety of shells in his size, don't worry about it too much. He might just like it like it is.
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Straws coming soon ♥
C. Clypeatus Dr. Jones ☆ Steve McQueen ☆ My Girl ☆ Gus ☆ Henry

[wodesorel]

Just make sure he has a selection of shells to change into if he wants to. Then all you can do is cross your fingers! I've had crabs in cracked and ill-fitting shells who have refused to change for months. If you can get him a shell he likes, he'll change soon enough.
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Proud mama to 33 cats, 1 tubby hammie, 3 betta, 1 gourami, 3 clown pleco, and my 13 kuhli loaches!
26 PP (the ones with names) and 10 E (The Children of the Corn)

[CTcrablover]

I have a E crab that finally changed shells last night.
This guy was way too big for his old shell. He couldn't even pull himself into it. The shell only covered his soft parts, it was that small on him. I owned him for about 6 months, and he had two molts in that six months.

I wouldn't worry too much about your crabs shell. He will change shells when he's ready.

I think they like to drive us nuts sometimes with their refusal to change from broken/painted/ugly or just plain too small shell.