I've had hermit crabs for years and that has never happened! So, idk what u do w/ ur shells, but mine r fine! Yea, we know paint is bad, but do u know it can be non-toxic?
they mostly eat the hermit crab cookies, lil brown pellets, & the flake food. Those can all be found at Petco! I have 10+ hermit crabs and they eat anything. Where'd u buy them?