Quote:
Originally Posted by dgh_1984
My crab count is up to 8 now since I bought 4 more yesterday and I was wondering if it is ok to remove the shells that they came in out of the tank after they have switched? I have 14 shells of various shapes and sizes that are really pretty for them to change into and the natural shells they come in are really ugly. I sat here, while on my computer, and watched one check out shells for almost an hour and it finally switched into one. Unfortunately, I missed the actual switch over.  Then, two others fought over the shell that was ditched. They were really going at it too and I was worried they would hurt each other, so I removed it. Could this stress them out? It might not have liked that shell and wanted to switch back to the old one. I am happy to say that all inhabitants are doing good. One dug under not long after introduction to it's new home, and where I don't know. The one switched shells and the one I have had the longest switched shells again.  They are so much fun to watch.  |
Unless the shell is painted and or damaged its good to leave the old ones there ugly or not- often when a crab gets out of one you will see another crab take it- its already smooth inside and whatever it is they like it more.......this always happens to my tank. Unless you know for a fact that the new shells are all the right sizes then you can remove it but when a crab changes it sometimes wants the old shell back and can streak and freak if it cant get it.......food for thought
