HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Hey all! Hope you’re doing well today!!
I’m struggling trying to find right fit of shells for my boys...
I am at a loss at how to measure them and what’s needed lol
I also see a lot of people have their shells in a container and even in a corner hanging container... why is that? Can they change shells when in a container like that? Or do you think they drag it out? I need to soon break down and get a camera and watch the little buggers lol. any suggestions on those?
Thanks y’all!

Just measure the opening of the shell, I use a ruler or fabric measuring tape. Measure your crabs shell first while they're hiding inside so when you are trying to buy new shells you'll know where to start. I recommend buying a few that are the same size as the one they are already in and only going up by about 1/8 of a size at a time. If your crab is in an ill fitting shell (like a petstore shell) you will just need to buy a bunch of different shells to find what your crab truly needs. Every crab I've known that came from any commercial store have always been in shells significantly smaller than what the crab actually needed.

I buy all my shells online either through amazon or naples seashell company (I recommend the later for yourself, the website is very user & hermit friendly lol)

We buy from Ken Lipe. He has great shells. I don't do shell shops in my bigger tanks for my big crabs. I scattered them all over the tank. For my captive bred babies, I use shell shops just so I can maybe tell if they changed pants!

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