Is is ok to remove the old shells that they came in?

[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.

[HERMEZ]

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

[bluconspiracy]

A few of mine changed yesterday and they wwent back and forth between a new sheel and the one they came in. I just left the ones they came in just so they wouldn't get upset. One of the little guys *shelly, named her that because of how long she stayed at the shell shop changing back ad forth between shells* changed into the old shell of the small crab *doesn't have a name yet* and I got worried the small one would get pissed if he saw that Shelly was in his old shell. Good thing she got out of it because a few minutes later the small got back in his old shell....

[WizKidsMom]

I check the shell for any sharp edges or holes, then I rinse it in salt water before putting it back.
I noticed when I do the periodic shell boil (in salt water) they seem to check out the shells more seriously.

I do have two E's that are in painted shells and they have not even checked out the new shell pile. Time to boil and add a few new ones.

[dgh_1984]

I put the shell back in, but it is really too small for it. I guess it's whatever it likes.

[krackersmom2]

I usually leave the old shells, ugly or not. I have a couple of shells that are not my favorite, but every once in a while a crabby tries one of them on for size. I figure it adds variety and shell count. Sometimes a crab will go back to it's old shell after it shell shops. I believe it is stressful if you take their home....sometimes they will hold onto the old shell until they are confident with the new one. That way no one else takes it while they are shopping.

[dgh_1984]

I have left the shell in there and it hasn't checked it out again. But the funny thing is that all the rest check it out and move it around. I found it inside the half burried pot today kind've half burried in the sand and thought maybe one had moved into it, but no it was just sitting there.

[WizKidsMom]

Itsie changed shells yesterday and it was entertaining. After she decided on the new shell (moved in, moved back to her old, checked out other shells, moved into the first one) she kept a leg on the old shell. Then she moved the old shell to a hidey and guarded it.
After a while, I took the old shell, rinsed it in salt water, and put it in the pile. Wouldn't you know after a while that old shell was back in the hidey next to her while she is in the new shell.

[Hildegarde]

I guess it's the crab equivalent to a security blanket!!

[Hildegarde]

Kind of like a crab's equivalent of a security blanket!