Hermits & Bristles/ Safe to Leave Empty Shells?

[TinyReefObsession]

Hello All, I got some extra shells in the tank yesterday (saltwateraquarium.com) and my hermits were thrilled! It was so much fun watching them inspect and try on various shells- and I was shocked at how big they went in their new homes! Lol I left the shells in overnight and have

seen one come back to reassess today… just curious… if I leave the shells in for them to access as needed, is that okay? Or will they become bristle worm homes, making them inaccessible when the hermits are ready to utilize them? Thoughts?

 

[blaxsun]

A few extra shells is always a great plan.

 

[twentyleagues]

I've never seen a hermit crab give up an upgrade to much let alone a bristle worm.

 

[TinyReefObsession]

I've never seen a hermit crab give up an upgrade to much let alone a bristle worm.

Thanks! I’m new to all this - I could tell they spent ages turning the shells over, looking inside, etc before moving in haha but wasn’t sure about the possibility of bristles leftover in the shell or something lol