Can't keep snails alive

codemonkey · 03-14-2006, 06:00 PM

We've had our 58 gallon tank for a few months now. We cycled it, tested the water, etc, etc. We've got a whole bunch of live rock, 5 small hermit crabs, a false perc, a yellow tang, a royal gramma, a pink-tipped anemone and a scooter blenny. Everything seems SUPER-healthy (even the anemone.) The only problem we're having is that we can't keep snails alive. They live for about a day or too and then drop to the bottom and die. Any ideas on what the problem could be?

lobophyllia · 03-14-2006, 06:21 PM

what kind of snails are they? some snails can't flip themselves back over if they fall so they eventually drown or starve.

codemonkey · 03-14-2006, 06:25 PM

Some turbo snails, a few other kinds of snails but I don't remember what they were called. I tried flipping them back over but it didn't help. We also tried putting a blue starfish in the tank (which was REALLY cool, BTW) and he only lived a day.

lobophyllia · 03-14-2006, 07:13 PM

did you ever put copper in the tank to treat ich? if you used the tank for freshwater before salt and you used copper then it could still ramain in the tank.

**Poseidon** · 03-14-2006, 09:03 PM

I agree it sounds like a metal poisoning.

CSeaSee · 03-17-2006, 12:14 PM

Definately sounds like some sort of metal poisoning. Where'd the tank/equipment come from? Anything used? It's weird that the anemone is still alive, though...

greenbean36191 · 03-18-2006, 10:22 AM

How are you acclimating the snails? What is your salinity?

Boostable · 03-24-2006, 06:19 AM

It could be copper, but a few other things should be dropping out if that is the case. Get it tested at your local LFS just in case. If it is copper look into getting some Cuprisorb from Seachem to help out.

***Reefland*** · 03-24-2006, 11:50 AM

I would steer towards a review of your acclimation procedures. If it was copper you would be having problems with all of your invertebrates.

**Poseidon** · 03-24-2006, 01:47 PM

Acclimation problems are common with snails! I have seen several wholesalers that ship snails with NO WATER! How can acclimate slowly under those conditions?

greenbean36191 · 03-24-2006, 02:51 PM

Dry shipping is pretty common with snails. It's actually a lot easier on them than shipping them in water. Most snails deal with being out of water pretty well as long as the humidity is high, also if one dies on the way and they are in water then they're all going down with it. It really doesn't make it any harder to acclimate them since one of the best ways to acclimate snails is to let them dry out for a few minutes anyway and then stick them to the glass above the water line and crawl in on their own.

Ray_D · 03-24-2006, 02:54 PM

its my understanding that snails are more sussectable to metal poisoing then most other inhabitants in a tank

CSeaSee · 03-24-2006, 03:13 PM

So... to water or not to water, that seems to be the question! Two diametrically opposed viewpoints... are both right?

**Poseidon** · 03-24-2006, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greenbean36191

It really doesn't make it any harder to acclimate them since one of the best ways to acclimate snails is to let them dry out for a few minutes anyway and then stick them to the glass above the water line and crawl in on their own.

Is it really that easy? I have had bad luck acclimating snails in the past. Just drain the water from the bag and let them sit for how long? Then place them at the top of the tank where they can crawl in at their own pace?

greenbean36191 · 03-24-2006, 08:38 PM

If they're already dry shipped I don't bother to let them sit out any more. I just take them straight out of the bag and stick them on the glass. If they came in water I put them in a bowl and let them dry out for about 10-15 minutes. If I have a lot of snails sometimes I float a peice of styrofoam and set them on that instead of waiting for them to stick on the glass. They'll head in on their own when they're ready.

Dr. Ron recommends this method, and so far I haven't had any losses doing things that way. Back when I was doing the water transfer mess I would usually lose a few from each batch.

***zhenya*** · 03-25-2006, 01:36 PM

I usually set them down on my magnet cleaner that I move slightly above water line and they move down on their own after a while, never lost a snail due to acclimation procedures this way.

lobophyllia · 03-29-2006, 11:48 PM

wow my method was to put the in a little container with the water from the stores tank, put a little tube coming from my tank to the container, and dripping water into it 1 drop per second for an hour. thats how my lfs told me to acclimate all inverts.

tech1 · 03-31-2006, 12:02 AM

What was your nitrate level? If it is too high it may affect the snails.

just wondering

03-14-2006, 06:00 PM	#1
codemonkey New in Town Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 2	Can't keep snails alive We've had our 58 gallon tank for a few months now. We cycled it, tested the water, etc, etc. We've got a whole bunch of live rock, 5 small hermit crabs, a false perc, a yellow tang, a royal gramma, a pink-tipped anemone and a scooter blenny. Everything seems SUPER-healthy (even the anemone.) The only problem we're having is that we can't keep snails alive. They live for about a day or too and then drop to the bottom and die. Any ideas on what the problem could be?

03-14-2006, 06:21 PM	#2
lobophyllia Just Moved In Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: indiana Posts: 44	what kind of snails are they? some snails can't flip themselves back over if they fall so they eventually drown or starve. __________________ [insert clever signature here]

03-14-2006, 07:13 PM	#4
lobophyllia Just Moved In Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: indiana Posts: 44	did you ever put copper in the tank to treat ich? if you used the tank for freshwater before salt and you used copper then it could still ramain in the tank. __________________ [insert clever signature here]

03-14-2006, 09:03 PM	#5
Poseidon Moderator Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Swartz Creek, MI Posts: 6,235	I agree it sounds like a metal poisoning. __________________ Need a Photographer? Just say NO to CRABS Mike

03-17-2006, 12:14 PM	#6
CSeaSee Mayor Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Chicago Suburbs Posts: 663	Definately sounds like some sort of metal poisoning. Where'd the tank/equipment come from? Anything used? It's weird that the anemone is still alive, though... __________________ Carl Just tell your wife that having a tank teaches you all sorts of new DIY skills...which will save lots of money around the house...so you can buy more stuff for your tank...so you can learn more skills...

03-14-2006, 06:25 PM	#3
codemonkey New in Town Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 2	Some turbo snails, a few other kinds of snails but I don't remember what they were called. I tried flipping them back over but it didn't help. We also tried putting a blue starfish in the tank (which was REALLY cool, BTW) and he only lived a day.

03-18-2006, 10:22 AM	#7
greenbean36191 Citizen Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Auburn/Huntsville, AL Posts: 239	How are you acclimating the snails? What is your salinity? __________________ If you can't change the world, change history- TRT

03-24-2006, 06:19 AM	#8
Boostable Citizen Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Lake Mary, FL Posts: 169	It could be copper, but a few other things should be dropping out if that is the case. Get it tested at your local LFS just in case. If it is copper look into getting some Cuprisorb from Seachem to help out. __________________ It's not a hobby, it's an addiction! _____________________________ Jack

03-24-2006, 11:50 AM	#9
*Reefland* Owner Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Bardstown, KY Posts: 13,026	I would steer towards a review of your acclimation procedures. If it was copper you would be having problems with all of your invertebrates. __________________ Scott Z. 75 Gallon Reef Log Powered by Reefland's Personal Online Aquarium Log

03-24-2006, 01:47 PM	#10
Poseidon Moderator Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Swartz Creek, MI Posts: 6,235	Acclimation problems are common with snails! I have seen several wholesalers that ship snails with NO WATER! How can acclimate slowly under those conditions? __________________ Need a Photographer? Just say NO to CRABS Mike

03-24-2006, 02:51 PM	#11
greenbean36191 Citizen Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Auburn/Huntsville, AL Posts: 239	Dry shipping is pretty common with snails. It's actually a lot easier on them than shipping them in water. Most snails deal with being out of water pretty well as long as the humidity is high, also if one dies on the way and they are in water then they're all going down with it. It really doesn't make it any harder to acclimate them since one of the best ways to acclimate snails is to let them dry out for a few minutes anyway and then stick them to the glass above the water line and crawl in on their own. __________________ If you can't change the world, change history- TRT

03-24-2006, 02:54 PM	#12
Ray_D Just Moved In Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 23	its my understanding that snails are more sussectable to metal poisoing then most other inhabitants in a tank

03-24-2006, 03:13 PM	#13
CSeaSee Mayor Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Chicago Suburbs Posts: 663	So... to water or not to water, that seems to be the question! Two diametrically opposed viewpoints... are both right? __________________ Carl Just tell your wife that having a tank teaches you all sorts of new DIY skills...which will save lots of money around the house...so you can buy more stuff for your tank...so you can learn more skills...

03-24-2006, 08:38 PM	#15
greenbean36191 Citizen Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Auburn/Huntsville, AL Posts: 239	If they're already dry shipped I don't bother to let them sit out any more. I just take them straight out of the bag and stick them on the glass. If they came in water I put them in a bowl and let them dry out for about 10-15 minutes. If I have a lot of snails sometimes I float a peice of styrofoam and set them on that instead of waiting for them to stick on the glass. They'll head in on their own when they're ready. Dr. Ron recommends this method, and so far I haven't had any losses doing things that way. Back when I was doing the water transfer mess I would usually lose a few from each batch. __________________ If you can't change the world, change history- TRT

03-25-2006, 01:36 PM	#16
*zhenya* Owner Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: new jersey,usa Posts: 7,710	I usually set them down on my magnet cleaner that I move slightly above water line and they move down on their own after a while, never lost a snail due to acclimation procedures this way. __________________ Kind regards, Gene.

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03-29-2006, 11:48 PM	#17
lobophyllia Just Moved In Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: indiana Posts: 44	wow my method was to put the in a little container with the water from the stores tank, put a little tube coming from my tank to the container, and dripping water into it 1 drop per second for an hour. thats how my lfs told me to acclimate all inverts. __________________ [insert clever signature here]

03-31-2006, 12:02 AM	#18
tech1 Citizen Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Monroe, Louisiana,USA Posts: 189	nitrates?? What was your nitrate level? If it is too high it may affect the snails. just wondering

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