Conch-L,

     I have a marine aquarium stocked with spare empty shells of various sizes.  After coming back from a collecting trip, I just dump my catch into the tank and within hours (sometimes minutes), all of the hermit crabs have shifted into the spares and I just pick out the shells I want to keep.  The crabs then stay as part of the cleaning crew in my tank.

Aloha,
Dave





---- Martin <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> I seem to remember Mom using a wood match - but not the heat.
> Strike the match and blow it out quickly.  Enough sulfur will be left
> that the smoke is heavy in it.  This smoke is use to 'smoke them out'.
>
> I don't recall the result, I wasn't overly interested or just didn't log it
> in my mind.  It was about 50 years ago now.
>
> Martin
>
> On 6/12/2012 8:22 PM, Fabio Wiggers wrote:
> > It might open his mounth wide and get drunk!
> >
> > Alcohol is not efective removing them. I have tried. Heating the apex
> > usually spoils the protoconch.
> >
> > Dr.  Fábio Wiggers
> > Biólogo
> >
> > Em 12/06/2012, � s 16:37, "S. Sneidar" <[log in to unmask]
> > <mailto:[log in to unmask]>> escreveu:
> >
> >> Hi Mike and members.
> >> When younger  I happened to have a Beer in my hand and out of
> >> curosity poured it into the aperture of a crabbed shell. The crab
> >> came charging out of the shell like he had a severe case o the
> >> Moraccon trots.
> >> Not much luck with beer after that. I'm interested in trying
> >> whiskey/gin/etc (applied with an eyedropper of course). Maybe the
> >> crabs will get relaxed enough th drag them out whole.
> >> Aloha,
> >> Sid Sneidar, Grunge Specialist  :-))
> >>
> >>     ----- Original Message -----
> >>     *From:* mike gray <mailto:[log in to unmask]>
> >>     *To:* [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]>
> >>     *Sent:* Tuesday, June 12, 2012 6:09 AM
> >>     *Subject:* Re: [CONCH-L] Crabbed shells
> >>
> >>     Yes, hermits are fascinating critters but a PITA to get out.
> >>     Fresh water will chase some out, and hanging the shell just above
> >>     some seawater will lure others to vacate the premises. But most
> >>     end up separated from their nether parts, which must be left to
> >>     rot and flushed out with a strong jet of water.
> >>
> >>     Curious as to what the rest of you do???
> >>
> >>     mike
> >>
>

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