Thursday, January 12, 2012

How can I trick a stubborn hermit crab to change shells?

My wife and I are new to the hermit crab game. We bought 3 new hermit crabs to add to the one we already have. My problem is One of the crabs is WAY!! to big for his shell and I was wondering if there is a trick to getting him to which out for a bigger shell. He is very stubborn about it. Any ideas?

How can I trick a stubborn hermit crab to change shells?
A hermit crab will change when it is good and ready. Some species are stubborn others change all the time. Boil and clean all your extra shells. Then place them opening up in the tank with a little hermit crab safe salt water in them. This always works with my crabs. Make sure they are unpainted shells close to the size and shape of the shell the crab enjoys. It can be a little bigger but shouldn't be outrageously larger.

Don't try to force him just let the crab do it on it's own time.
Reply:well, you might think it is too big - but it's the crab who decides =)



it can depend on the type of crab you have - some types change shells more often than others - some prefer round openings to flat ones.



Best thing to do is boil all of your new shells to get any scent out of them, which will keep a crab from moving in - and move the shells around every night so they possibly think there is somewhere new to investigate.
Reply:They'll change shells when they need to, sadly there's no tricks to making them change shells. He might be getting ready to molt too, right before they molt they become really inactive.


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