[krackersmom2]

Aside from the paint chips, the methods they ude to get the hermies into the painted shells is inhumane. They may be gassed, subjected to freezing temps. etc. to get them to the point where they are almost dead and will not fight for their natural shell. Then they stuff their almost lifeless body into the painted shell.
The only painted shell crabs I bought were living in shells that were broken. I felt compelled to rescue them. I understand that sometimes there is not other option offered by your local pet store. If you do buy one, be sure to offer them plenty of natural shell options and remove the painted shell immediately after they change. Of the four crabs I have acquired that came in painted shells, only one did not change within minutes of being offered new options. Violet buried almost immediately and has only resurfaced a few times since I got her several months ago. She finally came up this past week and changed shells.