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News

News
16 Feb 2021: Gosh, it was back in early 2017 when I made a major update! I have successfully migrated this website to a new web host. The Forums have been upgraded to phpBB 3.3.3 for better security and features.

Care Sheets

Care Sheets
Our very basic care sheet is available for download in Australian and American English. Please refer to our Crab Care section for more thorough explanations.

Referencing

Referencing
If quoting any text from this website, please reference back to our page with a hyperlink. Do not copy any images without the original photographer's permission.

Streaking

Why did my hermit crab abandon its shell?

In addition to the possible causes mentioned in the Lost Limbs page, hermit crabs may also streak due to something getting stuck in their shell. After getting your hermit crab back into a shell, please read through the previous pages of this guide if you have not done so already.

How do I get my hermit crab back into a shell?

Follow the steps below to coax your hermit crab back into its shell or a similar one (if its old one was stolen in a shell fight).
1.  Find a glass or cup that the hermit crab cannot climb out of.
2.  Fill another container with lukewarm salt water.
3.  Place the hermit crab in the bath for about three seconds. If it is a moulter that has not fully hardened, skip this step.
4.  Wash the shell with the bath water and shake it to listen for any rattling. Make sure there are no objects inside the shell.
5.  Place the hermit crab and its shell inside the glass or cup. Wait for the hermit crab to slip back into its shell. You may want to add other shells if the container is big enough.
6.  If the hermit crab still refuses to slip into a shell, boil the shells in salt water. All the shells to cool down and then place them in the glass or cup again and wait.
7.  If the hermit crab still refuses to slip into a shell, gently hold the hermit crab and try slipping its abdomen into a shell. If it keeps hopping out of the shell again, place the hermit crab back in the glass or cup and into the isolation tank. Leave the hermit crab in the glass or cup until it slips back into a shell.
8.  Add a drop of water to the hermit crab's abdomen per hour to prevent it from drying out. Try not to wet the moulter's semi-hardened body. Repeat the previous step with different shells if necessary.
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