Small Shells for Small Hermit Crab?

VR28man · Jul 25, 2017

Hey all,

I found myself responsible for a small marine hermit crab (shell is 5mm long, at most). It came to me before I even have a tank setup (as a result I have to find suitable temp housing for it, which shouldn't be that hard - fish bowl or plastic container will be good enough for the next 1-2 weeks. I will change out the water often, and keep an airstone)

If finding housing won't be hard, I hope it will eventually outgrow its shell. Is there anywhere that sells mixed size small shells as like substrate/rubble, that I can just put onto my aquarium substrate. (this is rampant at many beaches, but I'm not at the beach now. :( ).

Also, I received as a "gift" a tourist knick-knack shell necklace (shells are snail shells, even smaller than this hermit's, and presumably natural). Since I'm not wearing it would it be safe to cut out the vinyl string and dump the shells into an aquarium?

Thanks!

NanoCrazed · Jul 25, 2017

VR28man said:
Hey all,

I found myself responsible for a small marine hermit crab (shell is 5mm long, at most). It came to me before I even have a tank setup (as a result I have to find suitable temp housing for it, which shouldn't be that hard - fish bowl or plastic container will be good enough for the next 1-2 weeks. I will change out the water often, and keep an airstone)

If finding housing won't be hard, I hope it will eventually outgrow its shell. Is there anywhere that sells mixed size small shells as like substrate/rubble, that I can just put onto my aquarium substrate. (this is rampant at many beaches, but I'm not at the beach now. :( ).

Also, I received as a "gift" a tourist knick-knack shell necklace (shells are snail shells, even smaller than this hermit's, and presumably natural). Since I'm not wearing it would it be safe to cut out the vinyl string and dump the shells into an aquarium?

Thanks!

I get my shells from Michaels, they sell assortment of shells in all sizes whch works out well since I have an army of hermits big and small... :) As for the necklace, the crab won't mind as long as the shells are big enough... I've seen some swap back and forth between shells -- likely trying things on for size is my guess...