How do you get algae off a snail's shell?

[NJBillyV]

Hey Everyone!

So I'm about to transfer snails from my invert. QT to my DT. The only problem is that their shells are green with algae.

I'm hesitant to introduce any algae into my DT, which has run algae free from the start. Additionally, it's not a good look for my snails.

So how do I clean it off their shells?? Just scrub it off with a tooth brush? I could hold them upside down and dip their shells into something (hydrogen peroxide?), not sure if that would hurt them though.

Any suggestions would be appreciated!

 

[PBnJOnWheat]

Hey Everyone!

So I'm about to transfer snails from my invert. QT to my DT. The only problem is that their shells are green with algae.

I'm hesitant to introduce any algae into my DT, which has run algae free from the start. Additionally, it's not a good look for my snails.

So how do I clean it off their shells?? Just scrub it off with a tooth brush? I could hold them upside down and dip their shells into something (hydrogen peroxide?), not sure if that would hurt them though.

Any suggestions would be appreciated!

I would just scrub them off. You could probably dip them but that’s risky IMO. You could also put them in a confined space and let them eat the algae off their own shells lol

 

[The Dude Abides]

Throw them all in a plastic basket and they will feed of the algae on each other shells.

 

[thewire]

get some hydrogen peroxide and tip and rub it on it without getting to the snail

 

[NJBillyV]

I'm not to confident in the let them eat the algae off each other's shell idea....LOL

get some hydrogen peroxide and tip and rub it on it without getting to the snail

I like this idea, is hydrogen peroxide the correct thing to use?

Any idea if it will soak in through the shell possible??

Thanks for all the ideas, keep em coming!

 

[Rmckoy]

Letting them eat the algae off of each other sounds like the most natural way .

 

[The Dude Abides]

It works. The snails have nothing else to feed on so they will eat algae off of each other’s shells.

 

[Jilly92]

I'm not to confident in the let them eat the algae off each other's shell idea....LOL


I like this idea, is hydrogen peroxide the correct thing to use?

Any idea if it will soak in through the shell possible??

Thanks for all the ideas, keep em coming!

Mine always go on top of each other eating algae!

 

[homer1475]

I've always just twisted them off the rocks, let them close their trap doors, and scrub away with a toothbrush. Never lost a snail.

Of course letting them eat it off each other would work too.

Not to keen on the peroxide, although that would work. Just be very careful with using it, as I'm pretty sure it would kill the snail if it gets anywhere but the shell.