Hermit Crab Shells 101

What shells do hermit crabs need? How do I know what size to buy for my hermit crab? Where do I buy hermit crab shells? How often do hermit crabs change shells? How many shells do my hermit crabs need? How do I clean my hermit crab shells? Where do I put the shells in my hermit crab shells? We've gotten tons of people asking all of these questions about shells, so we decided to put all the information you need to know about shells into one video! We wanted to be thorough so that you don't waste your money like we first did when buying shells. We hope this is helpful! Thanks for watching!


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[digitalflightworks]

My daughter got 2 hermit crabs as a birthday gift from her friends and quickly lost interest in them. I felt sorry for the little creatures so i adopted them but had know idea how to care for them. Then I found this great channel! I and especially my hermit crabs thank you for all the great information.

[MissSunriseDawn]

Thank you for this! I unexpectedly rescued two hermit crabs a little over a month ago, and had no clue how to care for them. They came to me in a 10 gallon tank with a thin layer of gravel, a bowl with nothing in it except a dry sponge, some pellet food (which I've not used since the first day), and a mist trainer. I'm working on getting them what they need. They now have two "pools" (fresh and saltwater), sand and coconut fiber added to the gravel (I now know that the gravel has to come out but one of the crabs went down a weeks ago and I'm waiting for him to come back up to change the substrate), I added 2 more shells (and they don't like either of them), and switched to feeding them fruits, veggies, and egg w/eggshell (their favorite, with carrots and bananas coming next). I just got a bunch more shells (various sizes), which is what brought me to this video. They've now been boiled and are cooling down. My 5 year old daughter named the crabs Ariel (the largest one - she's a purple pincher (think that's what you said it's called)) and Sebastien (I think he's an Ecuadorian). I found y'all the first day we had our crabs, and also some very helpful Facebook groups. (Every single group I joined mentioned this channel!) I've made several mistakes along the way, but I'm really trying to make Ariel and Sebastien's lives better! Every year, my parents get us all one big Christmas gifts along with several smaller ones. The shells I just got are an early gift from them, and for my big gift I've asked for a bigger tank for my little guys. Hoping I get it! Thank you all so much for the info you put out here!

[emmyu]

Let me just say, I absolutely your channel! It is so helpful and a great guide to new hermit crab owners like me! I clicked on this video 16 minutes ago not knowing anything about shells except to not get the varnished and painted ones and I learned a ton! You are a lifesaver thank you!

[zombieluv]

I 2nd the Shell Store for Hermit shells. I was just at their Largo shop location a week ago and got a store tour. Very friendly and passionate about what they do.

[josephtomlinson]

Mrs Darcy. Thank you so much for this video. This “shell jacking” just happened with my hermit crabs. I kept hearing a “hissing” and couldn’t figure out what was going on. I saw one hermit crab on the other but didn’t really pay attention. After a few days I separated them. I waited because I thought it was just natural. I never knew about three shells per hermit crab. Off to Amazon I go!!

[Whammytap]

I heard a story about a guy who saw that wild hermit crabs were living in pieces of trash, since humans remove shells from beaches and leave trash. So he started collecting trash and leaving shells. The way it was described implied that he offered appropriate shells to crabs that were living in plastic cups or something, and the crabs "moved houses" quickly enough for him to take away the trash that had just been moved out of. I have no idea if this is true or not, but it's nice to think about.

[squrtile]

11:00 *in the tank to the left* "oh why hello there nice to see you"

[jcchang]

Omg you just saved my hermits crabs life! I got a neon one and I’m getting new natural shells so yeah thank you so much I just can’t not believe how I didn’t think about this Bc I was a beginner and they weren’t active at all so thank you for helping me love your channel 🦀🥰😀😁😃 Happy New Years Eve :>

[victoriaivette]

I just got two hermit crabs and I’m excited to care for them, thank you for your videos, they helped so much! I had no idea the painted shells were bad! I love my hermies and you guys help make their crabitat better thanks to your videos !

[The_Bible_Girl]

I had no idea how to measure and the different types of shells and which ones they would like and not like! Thanks for this amazing info!! You are such an amazing person Darcy!

[CheleGreysky]

I love that idea of putting a second enclosure upside down on top of another enclosure to create more 'upspace'! I may do that so that I can also hang a macrame shell shop in with my little ones.

[christinaaa_xo]

Another great video! Just a couple of hours ago I added about 6 shells to their enclosure, and already one changed! I just got them yesterday, and it was one of the painted shells that it left for a natural shell!! I am so excited!! Had I not watched these videos, that crab would still be it's in old shell and unhappy.

[hobbyhobbyhobbyhobby]

you really have a video for everything haha youre saving me at every turn

[PresleeandHenryshow]

I would like to say thank you for putting out all this video. When I got my crabs I didn't know anything. I slowly started to learn. And than I found you. When I first got thes crabs they didn't move and didn't do much at all. Now oh may there all over the place and that wheel lol they do love it. Best buy. You talked about measuring crabs in there shells that tuck up in but my one crab never goes in and was a handful to measure. Sadly I dropped him not far but it has me up set he's moving around again but it scared me. Thank you so much.

[myjam]

thank you so much for these awesome vids for helping my hermit crabs!! i love them so much and i want them to be comfortble in there new home:)

[kristenwilson]

Thank you for all your videos if it wasn’t for y’all my crabs wouldnt have changed shells and have molted perfectly! Thank

[twistysunshine]

I think the shell measuring stuff was super helpful!!

[petcraz]

There is sooo much more to hermit crabs than meets the eye! Thank you!

[Petopiaa]

Can I use some from the beach? 🐚 I used to clllect then and I thought they would love those! ❤😊

[rebeccar]

Hello! I am so glad I found your channel. I kept hermit crabs about 9 years ago and I had some idea on how to care for them. But your channel has taught me so much more.
I recently rescued 4 hermit crabs from a beach store and set them up in our tank at home. I reluctantly got one in a painted shell for my daughter. She really wanted it and I thought I could go ahead and get it and then use it as a teaching opportunity for what a crab needs.
It was in a painted turbo shell. I offered it several others in similar size and shape. But, finally, after a week, it changed to a babylonian shell. I immediately removed the painted shell. However, it does seem too big for the shell it chose and doesn't look very comfortable. I have ordered more shells that are coming very soon. Should I be concerned I might end up with a naked crab?