Any tips to encourage Rocky to shell swap? I suspect he's a Ecuadorian and I know they are very picky about their shells. I have plenty of shells. I might have to seek out one that is very similar to his current but even then that's not a guarantee.
Holey shell stubbornness?
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smolmuffin
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Holey shell stubbornness?
For about a week I've had my crabs and while the others have swapped, Rocky Road and Bean haven't. Bean's shell still seems efficient so I'm not concerned but Rocky's shell has a huge hole near the back. The last thing I need is a stray claw to poke his abdomen.
Any tips to encourage Rocky to shell swap? I suspect he's a Ecuadorian and I know they are very picky about their shells. I have plenty of shells. I might have to seek out one that is very similar to his current but even then that's not a guarantee.
Any tips to encourage Rocky to shell swap? I suspect he's a Ecuadorian and I know they are very picky about their shells. I have plenty of shells. I might have to seek out one that is very similar to his current but even then that's not a guarantee.
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aussieJJDude
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Re: Holey shell stubbornness?
Best bet like you said, offer a selection and hope he takes interest. Generally if the shell isn't suitable for the crab, they will be more likely to change compared to a shell that retains moisture ect.
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Re: Holey shell stubbornness?
It is funny how they're all so different. I've had my 3 little PP's a little over 2 weeks. All small and came in cone shaped shells. Two of them changed into natural green turbo shells on day one and have changed shells a few times while one is still in the original cone he/she had nipped away a section for his eye stalks to fit through easier.
Two 29gals. 3 PPs in each.
~200gal of fish tanks. Mostly planted community tanks.
Multiple kiddos, doggies and kitties.
~200gal of fish tanks. Mostly planted community tanks.
Multiple kiddos, doggies and kitties.
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wodesorel
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Re: Holey shell stubbornness?
I've had Es in the past that stayed in holey shells for years. My Rug has worn a hole in her shell of four years and refuses to so much as look at another home! Some of these guys can be super stubborn, so just give them decent options and they will change when they are ready. Holes aren't the end of the world for them, they make conscious decisions on if it or a different shell offer better protection versus size/weight.
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smolmuffin
Topic author - Posts: 20
- Joined: Wed Sep 01, 2021 6:11 pm
- Location: Northeast Florida
Re: Holey shell stubbornness?
Update! Pistachio (what I've renamed Rocky Road) has finally left his previous shell. Found him this morning with Sakura's store shell. It was previously glazed but I had peeled off as much of the coating as I could. Its a light one so even if its more bulkier than his older one, it won't inconvenience him.
I did remove his old one due to the hole but once I can afford to do so, I'll buy a bigger version of it. If he ends up streaking before than the old one will go right back in.
Pistachio seems be doing alright, he's dug up some substrate and is halfway underground so perhaps the shell swap was a precursor to a molt. If so I wish him well. But he's dug like this in the past so he could just be exploring. Bean does the same but I find him underground making tunnels.
I did remove his old one due to the hole but once I can afford to do so, I'll buy a bigger version of it. If he ends up streaking before than the old one will go right back in.
Pistachio seems be doing alright, he's dug up some substrate and is halfway underground so perhaps the shell swap was a precursor to a molt. If so I wish him well. But he's dug like this in the past so he could just be exploring. Bean does the same but I find him underground making tunnels.