How Do Snails Survive?!

Rorie · May 4, 2011

I added 20 small snails to my tank. I dont have any loaches or anything, but my guppies, corrys etc seem to pick on the snails. I find empty shells most days, which i assume means i have dead/eaten snails? I never seem them out eating, though i realise they are nocturnal.

minnnt · May 4, 2011

What snails are they Rorie? I have a collection of Apple Snails courtesy of Littlemonkey and they are active all day. I had some in with my HRP's, but they just rolled them around all the time and basically played football with them so i removed them to another tank and put some Kribs in in their place. The Kribs don't seem to bother the snails at all even when breeding.

Littlemonkey · May 4, 2011

Minnnt beat me to it. It would help to know what snail and what size. Some snails will die without warning. If you are not sure (apart from a empty shell) take the snail out and smell it, believe me you will know if it's dead (phew) :sick:

Some fish will attack snails, more out of territory issue than for lunch. Other's, loaches and puffer's for example will defo see them for lunch.

Rorie · May 4, 2011

minnnt said:
What snails are they Rorie? I have a collection of Apple Snails courtesy of Littlemonkey and they are active all day. I had some in with my HRP's, but they just rolled them around all the time and basically played football with them so i removed them to another tank and put some Kribs in in their place. The Kribs don't seem to bother the snails at all even when breeding.

They are Malaysian Trumpet Snails bought from Kitty Kat. So they are pretty small, about 1cm in size max. But my fish are all timid, so i thought they would be fine!

minnnt · May 4, 2011

Littlemonkey said:
Minnnt beat me to it. It would help to know what snail and what size. Some snails will die without warning. If you are not sure (apart from a empty shell) take the snail out and smell it, believe me you will know if it's dead (phew) Some fish will attack snails, more out of territory issue than for lunch. Other's, loaches and puffer's for example will defo see them for lunch.

I must admit i did wonder what you was doing when you were fishing some out for me... :rofl:

Littlemonkey · May 4, 2011

What are your water stat's have you put anything else in recently. Snails esp young can be sensitive I have found, I lost All my selling Apple snails once because I thought I could get away without dechlor when doing a water change, they all turned green. A very costly error on my part. Keep us up-dated :good:

minnnt said:
Littlemonkey said:

Minnnt beat me to it. It would help to know what snail and what size. Some snails will die without warning. If you are not sure (apart from a empty shell) take the snail out and smell it, believe me you will know if it's dead (phew) Some fish will attack snails, more out of territory issue than for lunch. Other's, loaches and puffer's for example will defo see them for lunch.

Click to expand...

I must admit i did wonder what you was doing when you were fishing some out for me...

Better to be safe than Sorry Mate :lol:

Just to make you envious, remember the eggs you saw, the first batch is hatching, the little ones are sliding down the glass as I type. All white.

Rorie · May 4, 2011

Littlemonkey said:
What are your water stat's have you put anything else in recently. Snails esp young can be sensitive I have found, I lost All my selling Apple snails once because I thought I could get away without dechlor when doing a water change, they all turned green. A very costly error on my part. Keep us up-dated

Really? I thought snails were hard core! Either way though, my water has stayed constant throughout. I have cardinals in this tank too, and they are normally a good indicator of things not being right!

minnnt · May 4, 2011

Looking forward to mine doing the same. Got 3 clumps of eggs now. :good:

I have a couple in one of my other tanks too and they must be the cleanest snails as my two juvenile BN's never leave them alone. lol.

Rorie · May 4, 2011

Enough bragging about the eggs

Back to me

Just kiddin

So, if i have empty shells, is it a safe assumption that something has eaten them?

Littlemonkey · May 4, 2011

Rorie, out of the 20 you got, how many do you think you have lost in total. It could be just natural selection, the strong survive. I hope I didn't worry you undually. I have lost a few over the years, sometimes I just find a empty shell. The kribs love a snail snack. The ones who do survive I hope will reward you with babies one day. Not too many I hope :lol:

.

If the snail has died in the tank and any part of the body is exposed, the fish won't resist a snack.

Rorie · May 4, 2011

Littlemonkey said:
Rorie, out of the 20 you got, how many do you think you have lost in total. It could be just natural selection, the strong survive. I hope I didn't worry you undually. I have lost a few over the years, sometimes I just find a empty shell. The kribs love a snail snack. The ones who do survive I hope will reward you with babies one day. Not too many I hope

Yeh i guess that maybe right. To be honest, i have no idea how many would be alive or not as i never see any of them! haha