Can snails starve to death?

[dacianb]

I have a few months old tank (9) with a quite some large numbers of snails, crabs and algae eating fishes (2 tangs, 2 blennies and an angelfish).
In last months my tank become more and more sterile (NO3=0.00-0.50) and practically didnt see anything growing on rocks, sand or glass. I put twice / week algae sheets for fishes to eat, but since few weeks I saw snails going to eat from the clip too (if they get on time).
Also, as I know from the past, most snails are nocturnal, but recently mine are all day / night long active.
Last week I saw a dead snail on sand. yesterday I found another one. In last 9 months I didnt lost any snail, but now 2 in less than 2 weeks.
There is a possibility for them to starve???

 

[cjd]

Absolutely, its not uncommon for us to add to much of a clean up crew. Bulk Reef Supply has a great video on you tube about adding a clean up crew. Most of the cleaner packages sold are way to much and will be out of a food source in no time leading to their demise and just releasing their nutrients back into the tank causing the need for more clean up crew. The cycle continues. Better to have less than to many imo. If you are having algae issues , its better to find the source than just relying on a clean up crew.

 

[Naiad]

Starvation is really the most common cause of snail death in a peaceful reef. Hermits will also kill them for shells if there isn't enough extras provided.