Dead Snail

[parker313]

I have an Apple/Mystery snail that is dead. It's got a really nice shell that I would love to keep in the tank, but don't want a dead, rotting snail in there! Is there an easy, non-messy way to separate the snail from the shell?

Thanks!
--Kristin

 

[The-Wolf]

use a needle or a pin. just like whelks.

 

[parker313]

Thanks! Although it seems I jumped the gun and the sucker wasn't dead, just having fun floating around for a while. I went and checked again after I posted my question and it had finally decided to stop floating and was moving around on my filter intake tube

 

[Teelie]

Snails will do that. Before you dump a snail or try to clean it out, always smell it first. If it stinks, it's dead. Also, of that flat cap on the opening is closed and doesn't move when touched, it's alive.

 

[parker313]

Thanks Teelie! The same snail (my 2nd biggest is how I know it was the same one) was doing the same thing the other night and was just floating around hanging out of his shell so I thought for sure it was dead, but it wasn't. After my last post, he had let go of the filter tube and was floating around again!

 

[Jae1525]

I'd throw up if I smelt a rotting snail!

Can they erm...(looks over both shoulders) get you high? There could be a business on the streets for snail sniffin'!!!!

 

[Teelie]

As far as I know, no one gets high or finds the smell of decaying snail appealing. It's rotting flesh to put it bluntly and only scavengers or carrion eaters like the smell of rotting flesh.

 

[ToWnPrEp]

Snails will do that. Before you dump a snail or try to clean it out, always smell it first. If it stinks, it's dead. Also, of that flat cap on the opening is closed and doesn't move when touched, it's alive.

OMG I might have thrown out an alive snail!!!!!!

 

[Teelie]

It's possible. I might have done the same to my first snail but will never know. I haven't had any of my current snails play dead lately so I have been lucky. Most of them are quite active and alert.

 

[parker313]

Luckily, this snail has stopped going for rides on the water surface too No more guessing games, they're all alert and active too