Removing snails from glass safely

[Ocelaris]

Anyone have any tips? I'm changing tanks and need to move the crew over a few days to make sure I get every one. Maybe a plastic bread scraper? I don't want to hurt the little guys, but they're mostly active at night. Thanks!

 

[samnaz]

I've carefully knocked them off while cleaning the tank glass, using a mag float algae scraper. Never seemed to injure them. I sure hope not anyway. They keep on moving along so I assume they weren't harmed by it.

 

[cristata.reef]

You can try blowing water at them with a turkey baster and use an old credit card to slowly remove them one they are partially dislodged. I don't think you'll really hurt them unless you yank them off

 

[RavenSF]

Just us you finger or plastic algae scraper and slowly put pressure on their foot between their shell and the glass. Eventually they’ll release their hold on the glass without harm.

 

[Ocelaris]

Thanks, I thought the credit card trick was the answer, but try searching for "snail safely glass", it's confounding!

 

[Alfrareef]

I just grab and twist really fast so they don’t have time to hold to the glass.

 

[AdamNC]

I’ve always slowly twisted them off.

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Yep I just pluck them off!

 

[PhreeByrd]

Using your finger, just lightly touch the edge of their foot anywhere and they will loosen their grip on the glass. Continue touching them lightly and they will let go. Works the same if they are on rock or some other surface.
If you want to kill them, then just quickly pull them off or twist them off.
I'd never use a scraper, credit card, or anything other than my finger, since those other things might accidentally cause damage to the snail's foot.

 

[klp]

Agree to twist and pull. They will slide right off the glass.

 

[PhreeByrd]

Of course they let go if you twist them. If somebody twisted YOU in half, you'd let go of everything, too.
The means doesn't always justify the end.

 

[klp]

Using your finger, just lightly touch the edge of their foot anywhere and they will loosen their grip on the glass. Continue touching them lightly and they will let go. Works the same if they are on rock or some other surface.
If you want to kill them, then just quickly pull them off or twist them off.
I'd never use a scraper, credit card, or anything other than my finger, since those other things might accidentally cause damage to the snail's foot.

Just curious to know if anyone has ever seen a snail killed by twisting or sliding one off.

 

[PhreeByrd]

Yes

 

[klp]

In the past I always slid them before they could really grab and then took them off. Algae on the glass slippery. Never had any hurt but I suppose they could.

 

[klp]

I used to slide them quickly on the glass and take them off before they really grab on. Never lost one but it could happen I suppose.