Where can i buy hermit crab shells

About Hermit Crab Shells

As we grow, our skin grows with us. Old skin cells fall away and new ones are added, allowing the surface area of our skin to get larger. Crustaceans such as hermit crabs, however, have a tough exoskeleton that cannot grow as the crab grows. Instead, their exoskeleton is occasionally moulted to allow for the crab to grow. As the old exoskeleton is moulted, a new fresh and soft exoskeleton is exposed. This new exoskeleton will harden and, in time, it too will be moulted as the crab grows.

Most crabs will grow a tough shell to act as defence against predators, but the hermit crab is famed for doing things a little differently. Instead of growing a tough shell of its own, it borrows one that was made by other animals. This means that you will need to make sure you provide your crabs with spare empty shells that they can use for their mobile homes. As your crabs grow, so they will outgrow their borrowed shells. This makes it necessary to make larger empty shells available when needed. This process will continue until your crab has reached its maximum size and no longer needs a larger home to move into. Having spare shells in their habitat also helps to beautify their home.

This borrowing of shells is something that endears many people to these fascinating creatures. If you are lucky enough, you may catch them in the act of moving into their new home. The move is usually over in a few moments, though, so it’s easy to miss.

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My kids and I have enjoyed owning hermit crabs, but they are a lot more work than you would think.

Learn how to measure, choose, and buy the correct shells for your hermit crabs, and discover more about how these crabs change their shells.

Sergio Boscaino, CC-BY 2.0, from flickr

Choosing the Right Shells

It is important to keep appropriately sized shells in your hermit crabs' tank so they have the opportunity to try out new homes. This article will show you how to select the correct shells for your hermit crabs based on their size, environment, and species.

Every shell is different, so before reaching into the $2.99 shell box at the pet store, get the information you need to measure and select the best shells and avoid wasting money on inappropriate ones.

What You'll Learn

• How to Determine the Proper Shell Size
• How to Buy Shells Online
• How to Choose a Comfortable Shell for Your Crab
• How to Clean and Prepare the Shells
• How Hermit Crabs Change Their Shells

Let's say your hermit crab is in the topmost shell. The rest are for size comparisons. Top group: all roughly the same size as your crab's current shell. Middle group: one size larger (these are the shells you should buy!). Bottom: too large.

How to Determine the Proper Shell Size

Shell size is one of the most important considerations for choosing hermit crab shells. While most seashells sold for decoration are described by their total width (for example, 3 inches from end to end), the only measurement that matters for your crabs is the diameter of the opening.

Measuring the Diameter of the Opening

Shell size is measured across the longest diameter of the opening. Shell calipers are sold to accurately measure shell openings, but you can get a fairly accurate measurement by eyeballing the opening and a ruler.

• Small hermit crabs usually inhabit shells with 3/8" to 1/2" openings.
• Medium crabs have shell openings ranging from 1/2" to 1".
• Large crabs have shell openings ranging from 1" to 1 3/8".
• Jumbo crabs live in shells with up to 3" openings or larger.

Once you have determined the size of your crab, select a few shells that are 1/8- to 1/4-inch wider than the hermit crab's current shell. Also, try to match the shape of the opening, especially if the crab has consistently chosen shells with round or D-shaped openings.

Variety Packs

You can also buy convenient variety packs with shells of appropriate sizes for small and medium hermit crabs. However, the individual shells in a pack are not labeled with measurements, so purchasing shells this way won't help you learn the size of your crab—so you'll be faced with the same dilemma for future purchases.

How to Buy Shells Online

If you do not live near the ocean, you probably do not have any seashell shops nearby. Depending on the size of your crabs, you may be able to get shells at the pet store or even at a craft store, but otherwise, it is best to shop for top-quality shells online in standardized sizes.

Advice for Ordering Online

Ordering online can be tricky, but until you place and receive an order for a specific size and actually see the shells next to your hermit crab, it can be difficult to know what size she needs. If you are unsure, then purchase several different shells and sizes:

• Two shells that are the size you think you want
• One shell that is 1/8" smaller
• One or two shells that are 1/8" larger

Once you've ordered and found the right shell, simply remember your crab's size; in the future, you can select shells that are one size larger.

Other Tips

• Most seashell shops will sell shells based on the outside measurements of the shell. Only shells sold specifically for hermit crabs will include the opening diameter measurement. It is very difficult to order shells based on exterior measurements alone.
• Never buy painted shells because they are unsafe for your hermit crabs. Polished and etched natural shells are a beautiful alternative if you don't like the rugged, all-natural look.

Online Store Suggestion

• Hermit Crab Shells at The Hermit Crab Patch
  The Hermit Crab Patch is an educational website that only sells products that are healthy for your crabs. You will find a good selection of shells at the best prices I've found online, organized by opening shape, size, and natural/polished finish.

How to Choose a Comfortable Shell for Your Crab

Most common hermit crabs, especially Purple Pinchers (C. clypeatus), prefer shells with round openings. Other species of hermit crabs, such as Ecuadorians (C. compressus), have been known to prefer shells with D-shaped openings because their bodies are flatter and they are better able to protect themselves in shells with D-shaped openings.

In addition to considering the size and opening of the shell, you should only buy natural, polished, or etched shells. Remember, painted shells are hazardous to the health of your hermit crabs. If your child wants a decorated shell, there are many beautiful natural shells safely etched with dolphins, palm trees, and other designs.

Shells with round holes are preferred by most common hermit crabs. Pictured (top to bottom): Natural Green Turbo, Tapestry Turbo, Turbo Cinerius

Turbo, Murex, and Other Shells With Round Openings

Turbo shells are probably the best choice for hermit crabs of any size. With a broad, round opening and heavy, thick construction, these shells are roomy and offer good protection. There are many types of turbo shells available in all-natural, polished, and etched designs (exposing the white pearlescent layer beneath the dark exterior of the shell).

• Magpie, Green Turbo, Turbo Cinerius, Turbo Stripe, and Turbo Petholatus shells are readily available online and are quite affordable.
• For more expensive tastes or for jumbo crabs, try the Jade Turbo or the very beautiful Turbo Sarmaticus shells.
• Murex shells are more structurally lavish than turbo shells, featuring spines and lumps. These may be more attractive for their shape, but know that a hermit crab is not likely to choose a shell with large branches or spikes because it will just make it more difficult to navigate the "crabitat" (crab habitat).
• Pink Murex shells are very commonly found in craft stores in all sizes and are very inexpensive.
• Apple Murex shells are available as well in a nice mix of browns.

Shells with D-shaped holes are preferred by crab species with flatter thoraxes. Pictured (top to bottom): Crown Conch, Babylonia Spirata, Whale Eye

Babylonia, Whale Eye, and Other Shells With D-Shaped Openings

Babylonia shells are a nice mix of brown and white and are readily available for both small and large crabs. These shells are common in pet stores, craft stores, and online shell stores.

Other shells with D-shaped openings include the following:

• Nerita Polita shells (for the smallest of crabs)
• Whale Eye shells
• Shark Eye shells
• Crown Conch
• Nutmeg shells

Land Snail Shells: Not Recommended

The shells made by land snails are usually much thinner and more lightweight than those made by sea snails (Turbo, Babylonia, etc.). Generally, sea snail shells are preferred over land snail shells, so these are not recommended.

Avoid these types of shells (top to bottom): shells with slit openings, broken shells, and micro shells.

How to Clean and Prepare the Shells

All shells must be prepared before you place them in the crabitat to ensure that they are safe for your crabs. Shells sold at craft stores are usually bleached beforehand, leaving chemicals that could harm the crab.

Shell Cleaning Instructions

1. Discard shells with unnatural cracks, holes, or jagged edges that may harm the crabs.
2. Dechlorinate enough warm water to cover the shells three times over.
3. Add 1/3 of the water to a bowl and stir in baking soda (about 1 tsp per cup of water).
4. Soak the shells in the baking soda solution for 10 minutes. Be sure that the air bubbles out of each shell.
5. Shake each hermit crab shell over the sink to drain the water.
6. Add 1/3 of the dechlorinated water to a clean bowl and stir in aquarium salt mix, according to the directions on the package.
7. Soak the shells for 5 minutes.
8. Shake each hermit crab shell over the sink to drain the water.
9. Repeat steps 6–8 with fresh dechlorinated water.

Hermit crabs use their shells to store water, control their temperature, and of course for protection. They will be the judge of what fits best—just be sure to clean the shells well.

Ready for Crabs!

Now the shells are ready for your hermit crabs! Place the shells with the opening facing up to entice the crabs to inspect them, but be patient—only the crab will know when it needs to switch shells and which candidate will be the most comfortable. Inevitably, unused shells will fill up with sand over time, so be sure to clean them occasionally with dechlorinated fresh water.

A hermit crab may need to try on several shells before it settles on a good one.

How Hermit Crabs Change Their Shells

When a hermit crab is ready to change shells, it may need to try out several shells before settling on a new home. Purple Pincher crabs (C. Clypeatus) are particularly likely to switch shells several times in the span of an hour or two, while other crabs may spend more time looking for the perfect shell.

After inspecting the inside of the shell with its legs and antennae, the crab will carefully position the shell. Rising up out of its current shell, the crab will swing its soft white abdomen over and into the new shell and curl down into it. After up to an hour of rolling around and inspecting the new shell, the actual shell switch happens in less than a second!

Fighting Crabs

If you have several crabs that are the same size, they may have loud vocal and physical contests over shells. While these are rarely meant to cause harm, the battles can become dangerous, and you may need to separate the crabs. However, if you have provided enough sand, the crabs should be able to bury themselves to get out of the situation.

Fights are very common in the following scenario, and there is nothing you can do about them besides separating the crabs and buying more shells:

1. Crab A switches to a new shell.
2. Crab B switches into Crab A's old shell.
3. Crab A doesn't like the new shell and wants the old shell back.
4. Crab B loves the shell and won't give it back.

If you notice the crabs making noises back and forth or trying to steal shells, buy a few more shells for them to choose from. I had a crab who held a grudge over this scenario for more than a month: Crab B didn't stay above ground for more than an hour at a time until Crab A switched into a new shell and was no longer harassing B for stealing her shell!

Don't Make These Mistakes

Be careful not to make the following mistakes with your hermit crabs:

• Do not remove the old shell; the crab may need to switch back into it.
• Provide at least two shells that are the proper size for your crab.
• If you notice crabs fighting over shells, give them more shells to choose from.
• Never try to force a crab to switch shells.

With the exception of the first photo from flickr, the hermit crab and shell photos used on this page were taken by the author, fritteritter; other photos were taken by photographers at sxc.hu and used with permission.

© 2009 fritteritter

Andres on April 04, 2020:

CJ: If you are usually 75-80 in temperature, or your temperature at home is not too different from where you the crabs, you don't need a heat lamp or heat pad. If you live inland your humidity may be lower than needed. In this case you can put natural sponge with water in cage or a wet towel over a portion of the lid to add more humidity. You also don't need light source if you have the crabs where sunlight comes in (but don't put cage right in front of window, so you don;t overheat them). For salt water, you can get water from beach and put it in empty gallons/bottle. To disinfect it you can put it on the stove until it is boiling and let it cool. If you eat fruits, vegetables, nuts, you can give a little to the crabs along with tiny pieces of leaves.

CJ on February 28, 2020:

BTW I also just noticed that a caribbean hermit crab does not require salt water. The crabs I have are identifyable as caribeans but I do not know if this information is true.

CJ on February 28, 2020:

I live in puerto rico and found my two hermits out of the wild, one is slightly smaller than a golf ball and the other is about three inches in diameter. They have a nice encloser with plenty of rocks to climb on but not much sand. I am planning on getting more sand from the beach but have a few questions. First, should I give them a heat lamp? the climate here is very warm and moist and they are living outdoors under the carport. do they need a light source? I found one in a thicket of trees by the beach and the light there was not too bright so I am guessing that the light from the sun shining into the carport is enough. other than that they seem very healthy and active. The two crabs are very social and have climbed all over the structures in their aquarium. I gave them fresh water in a small ceramic dish that they have been drinking and washing around in, we got them yesterday and I have already replaced it twice. However, we do not have immediate access to fresh salt water as we live a few miles inland and are about 20-30 minutes from the nearest beach. we do not plan to invest a lot of money on anything for the crabs and we plan to get sand and shells from the beach. What should we do about the salt water? I have also given them mango leaves which they have only walked around on and fed them some scraps of banana that the large one has taken a few bites of. They are very happy however, crawling around in their little habitat.

hi on April 29, 2019:

Brittany,

Matthew on November 07, 2018:

What about moon shells? THE OTHER TIDE has some good ones

Brittany on July 19, 2017:

How can I determine which type of hermit crabs I have? Can I make salt water using sea salt? Last question is...how deep should I make the sand in the bottom of their habitat?

anonmys on June 25, 2017:

my question is what is a hermit crabs lifespan and whhhhhhhhhy do shells cost more than hermit crabs

Penny L on May 07, 2014:

Please do Not buy shells that have been painted. These shells will poison, and kill your hermit crabs. The paint is very bad for them!

las81071 on May 31, 2013:

Thanks

fritteritter (author) from Ohio, USA on May 31, 2013:

There is always some chance that the painted shell could have negatively affected the crabs while they were at the pet store, but they are probably fine. The painted shells should not be a long-term home for your crabs, just be sure to provide a selection of natural unpainted shells that are the right size as well as a bit larger.

They will switch shells when the time is right; don't try to force them to switch. You will need to remove the painted shells once they are vacant, but you should wait a few days after a shell is empty before removing it to make sure that the crab is satisfied with their new natural home.

las81071 on May 31, 2013:

We have hermit crabs also. I have written about them as well. You article is very informative. I am wondering if the shells my crabs have from the pet store are not safe? they are painted but they came that way when we bought them? I am hoping they seem to be fine and plenty active

angel on April 07, 2013:

next week big day crab adotion!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:):):):):)

fritteritter (author) from Ohio, USA on December 08, 2012:

Much more frequently when they are small than larger crabs. Each "shell shopping" expedition might involve a few shell changes until they find one that they like. Small crabs may go through 3 or 4 shells in a year, provided that their habitat allows them to dig underground to molt and grow larger. If they are changing more frequently it may be time to buy more shells to find one that the crab is happy with.

Large crabs may keep the same shell for years, but they should always have a few appropriately-sized shells to choose from. Also, some species such as Ecuadorians hold onto the same shell for longer than the more common (in the US at least) Purple Pincher crabs.

felipe figueroa on December 08, 2012:

how many times a year do hermit crabs change there shell??

fritteritter (author) from Ohio, USA on June 19, 2012:

They will stay underground until they're done molting. Occasionally they may dig underground for some reason other than to molt, but in any case, once they are underground you should not and do not need to disturb them. If you notice that the crab buried underground, the best food to provide is dry food that will not go bad, especially something with calcium and nutrients like cuttle bone or oyster shells.

There is no need to provide fresh food every day when the crab is underground, but you should keep dry food so that it can eat if it resurfaces. It may be underground a few days or a few weeks. After molting the crab will crave the calcium and other minerals found in foods like cuttle bone in order to replenish its supply of nutrients that may have been exhausted while molting. The water should be changed weekly or more often to prevent stagnation or algae.

Just ensure that the sand stays "sand castle consistency" rather than becoming too dry so that it is moist enough for the crab to dig back out. Just pour a bit of dechlorinated water on the sand when you refill the water dish if the sand is getting dry.

dejay219 on June 19, 2012:

I have a question: Once the crab is under substrate to molt, does he just stay there for a month or two or does he come up now and again. If that is so, do I need to add water to drink and food to eat every day? This is all new to me and I have no idea about all of this stuff. Thanks for your help and do I ever need it!

fritteritter (author) from Ohio, USA on March 06, 2012:

The answer depends on how much space they have and whether all the standard needs are met. If conditions are not good or there is not enough space they may be more prone to aggression or general clumsiness, but otherwise size does not cause a huge problem. Space is especially an issue when the crabs dig tunnels to molt. If the tank is too small, the large crab is more likely to disturb a smaller crab in the process of molting.

I keep a gradient of sizes from small to large so that even though there are much larger crabs in a 90 gallon tank, there are also a few of a similar size. There are a few environment requirement differences also. Since both large and small crabs need to be able to submerge themselves in water, the water will need to be deeper than you may generally want for a small crab. That is not a problem, except that whatever you use to hold their water must be very easy for a small crab to climb out of if they get submerged. I have two deep 3 gallon pools at either end of the tank and the crabs often submerge completely and climb out a few minutes later.

Anounmous on March 05, 2012:

Can small hermit crabs live with bigger ones? Sorry for being off topic.

fritteritter (author) from Ohio, USA on August 28, 2011:

There are many different species which each grow to different sizes under different conditions. The most common crabs in the US, "Purple Pincher" hermit crabs, can grow to be quite large provided that they are able to tunnel underground to molt and can find big enough shells. Purple Pincher crabs can live for decades and reach the size of a softball (huge compared to the young crabs you typically see in stores).

tom on August 28, 2011:

how large can hermit crabs grow to be?

fritteritter (author) from Ohio, USA on August 20, 2011:

My Ecuadorians also preferred shells that were far too small, and also changed shells very infrequently. They were particularly fond of shells where the spiral inside had been worn or broken away, leaving them more room to squeeze in. I would try something with a slightly more D-shaped hole. They probably won't be fond of the heavy O shaped Turbo and other sea snail shells.

I would recommend a Crown Conch shell since they are the top choice of my ecs. They are available online, possibly at a local pet store, and I have also seen them frequently in craft stores (although the shells at craft stores may been treated with harsh chemicals like bleach, so some people would not recommend buying shells there). http://www.hermitcrabpatch.com/Natural-Crown-Conch...

nate on August 19, 2011:

nice article i know all this stuff already but that still a great refresher can you please tell me what kinds of shells i should use for my eccs beace the 3 of them had had the same shell on for 3 years and have never switched under my care and they are in such small shells there eyes cant even fit in ive got tons of shells i counted 134 shells in total we got them off ebay my other crbs use them but not them they have the D opening like the babalonians and shark/ whales eye but yet nothing seriosly 134 shells for a 20 gal tank with 6 hermit crabs i mean i got my sixth yesterday and it switched shells right in front of me thank goodness he was the most active when i got him from the store but had the ugliest shell in my opinian its funny he switched shells in front of me and another crab took his shell 1 hr later whyyyy no now the hermit with the prettiest shell on has the ugliest btw it was a shell that was pink with like a rams horn shell kind of form im not shure the name pink is its natural color along w/ grayish ness

selina on February 15, 2011:

Nice article. I learned a lot from your information. I also have many lovely hermit crabs, I will check your blog later. Also, welcome to my blog. I post many lovely pictures of my hermit crabs there.

http://hermitcrabs.xiangli-design.com

fritteritter (author) from Ohio, USA on July 31, 2010:

Tanya, it's difficult to say what would happen with 3 hermit crabs in that tiny of a tank. Since it would be impossible to provide everything that they need - including fresh and sea water treated to remove chloramines, deep enough substrate for the crabs to bury, controlled humidity, controlled heat, extra properly-sized non-painted shells, climbing and places, a few other crabs, and balanced nutrition - the crabs would be under incredible stress. Generally 10 gallons or 8 for small crabs is the minimum size tank that can accommodate two or three hermit crabs.

Hermit crabs eat their own exoskeletons after moulting to replenish lost nutrients, so if a crab happened to shed its exoskeleton above ground (which will not happen if the crabs have a proper habitat), others would certainly enjoy the free meal. While it would appear that they are eating the crab, it is only the shed exoskeleton. They would not actually eat a crab unless it is a matter of survival.

If you have or are thinking about getting some hermit crabs, please read this article: http://www.squidoo.com/hermitcrabcare

The author discusses some of the minimum requirements of keeping hermit crabs healthy and happy.

Tanya on July 31, 2010:

My question is:

Do hermit crabs go cannibalistic if their living quarters are to small? Ex. 3 small crabs in one gallon tank.

Thanks

fritteritter (author) from Ohio, USA on July 15, 2010:

Anon, that's an interesting question. The shells are created by snails and the coil direction of the snail's shell is predetermined in their genetic code. Through mutations or hereditary genetics, snails sometimes produce shells with reverse coils. As far as I know, hermit crabs will always choose a shell which coils to the left.

Depending on the type of snail, reversals may be so uncommon that reversed creatures cannot find compatible mates, making reversed shells for some species quite rare. Some snails have diverged into entirely separate species due to reversed coils. It's quite an interesting topic, thanks for asking!

ananymouse on July 15, 2010:

My question is: why do all shells curl to the same side?? Pretty curious

fritteritter (author) from Ohio, USA on February 21, 2010:

Generally a heat source above the crabitat is the most appropriate. If an under tank heater is able to warm the air in the crabitat, either the substrate is too shallow for the crabs to bury, or it is so hot that they may be in danger when buried. That doesn't mean that it cannot be used as a heat source if set up properly and monitored, but I would not recommend it.

I have used an "under tank heater" on the back wall of my smaller isolation tank which allows it to heat both the sand and the air. If the sand becomes too warm on that side, the crabs can tunnel away from the warmth.

My primary tank is heated by a fluorescent day light and red night light, but most of the heat is provided by aquarium heaters in two 5 gallon pools at either end. The humid heat from the pools keeps the air at the correct temperature and humidity, and the warmth from the water also radiates noticeably about 6 to 8 inches into the sand.

Whitney from Georgia on January 08, 2010:

A litle off topic, but do land hermit crabs need under tank heater to supply heat or an above tank heater (like a heat bulb)?

fritteritter (author) from Ohio, USA on September 12, 2009:

Thanks for reading, there are several mentions of not using painted shells but I will add more higher up in the article.

Michelle on September 12, 2009:

Very nice article. I would love to see some mention of avoiding painted shells though!

What shells are best for hermit crabs?

Does Walmart sell hermit crab shells?

Can a hermit crab use any shell?

Where to hermit crabs get their shells?