Snail inactivity

[Hellic]

Lately I've noticed all of my snails have been in the same place for what seems like a week. Is this normal? My parameters are all in check.

1.025 sg,
78°
kH 8.5
Calc 400
Mag 1290
Nitrate 0 (API)

I have lost 2 snails in the past which my Nassarius snails took care of. Im worried i may be losing all of them now. My nassarius still seem active. I know the snails aren't dead yet because the nass snails jumped the ones that did die and they have left my current snails alone for now.

 

[blaxsun]

What do they have for algae, food and nutrients?

 

[Wasabiroot]

I would test for the presence of heavy metal contamination. Check for any rust, broken heaters etc. Inverts are particularly sensitive to copper, cobalt etc.

 

[mdb_talon]

Sometimes my snails all seem to meet in one place and hang out. I think they schedule conferences or something.....

Anyway I would be concerned if they just there more than a little while. Easy way to tell though is look inside and ensure they actually alive.....

 

[vetteguy53081]

Did you acclimate them? If so- how and for how long?
They do best in water temps 76-78
Only if thetre out of their shell are the dead- Lift up a couple and see if they retract or fall out

 

[Wasabiroot]

Give the operculum a sniff also. (the trapdoor that closes on their shell. If you smell funk or rotting, they're likely dead.

 

[Hellic]

What do they have for algae, food and nutrients?

I have a bit of GHA in the tank. Thats the only current algae. Its pretty much in check , but you can see patches here and there.

 

[Hellic]

I would test for the presence of heavy metal contamination. Check for any rust, broken heaters etc. Inverts are particularly sensitive to copper, cobalt etc.

I did a copper test and it came back as 0

 

[Hellic]

Did you acclimate them? If so- how and for how long?
They do best in water temps 76-78
Only if thetre out of their shell are the dead- Lift up a couple and see if they retract or fall out

Yes i drip acclimated them when they arrived for about an hour with an airstone and heater. It just seemed odd that they are all staying in the same place. Usually its just one or two and at different times they remain still

 

[Hellic]

Give the operculum a sniff also. (the trapdoor that closes on their shell. If you smell funk or rotting, they're likely dead.

Lol i lost my smell. I have a cold right now. Bronchitis maybe.

 

[attiland]

Lately I've noticed all of my snails have been in the same place for what seems like a week. Is this normal? My parameters are all in check.

1.025 sg,
78°
kH 8.5
Calc 400
Mag 1290
Nitrate 0 (API)

I have lost 2 snails in the past which my Nassarius snails took care of. Im worried i may be losing all of them now. My nassarius still seem active. I know the snails aren't dead yet because the nass snails jumped the ones that did die and they have left my current snails alone for now.

You are not the first who has a couple months old aquarium and the snails start to be inactive or fall of the glass etc. I had it myself too and I have gone trough several posts like yours.
I think your 0 nitrates may actually indicate that you have something going on with your tank like starting a new algae/ bacteria bloom of some sort that snails don’t like.
I don’t think it is metals or something similar killing the snails since your equipment likely new.
I am sorry I can’t put my fingers on it just yet but I see this pattern so many times.

in my tank I blamed high magnesium at the time now I am not sure.
snails als not a fan of drastic quick water parameters change so could be just instability.

ps. 0 nitrates is no good you may want to get that to the 5-10ppm mark and keep it there.

sure other reefers will chip in wit good advice too

 

[Wasabiroot]

Hmm. What about ammonia

 

[RichReef]

Salt level high.
ALK high.

Double check. Triple check. Check. Check again.

Check with another kit.

Check again.

 

[Hellic]

Hmm. What about ammonia

Ammonia and nitrite are 0. The tank is fully cycled

 

[Hellic]

You are not the first who has a couple months old aquarium and the snails start to be inactive or fall of the glass etc. I had it myself too and I have gone trough several posts like yours.
I think your 0 nitrates may actually indicate that you have something going on with your tank like starting a new algae/ bacteria bloom of some sort that snails don’t like.
I don’t think it is metals or something similar killing the snails since your equipment likely new.
I am sorry I can’t put my fingers on it just yet but I see this pattern so many times.

in my tank I blamed high magnesium at the time now I am not sure.
snails als not a fan of drastic quick water parameters change so could be just instability.

ps. 0 nitrates is no good you may want to get that to the 5-10ppm mark and keep it there.

sure other reefers will chip in wit good advice too

Im sure the lacking maturity of my tank is definitely a contributing factor. I usually do 10% water changes once a week and the filter socks/skimmer do the rest which is why my nitrates have hit 0. I need to get a hanna checker that can show low nitrate levels. Api just indicates 0 or 5, and not an inbetween. I may do bi weekly water changes.

The toadstool and ricordea mushroom and fish seem to be doing well, as well as my peppermint shrimp. He's always prancing around the tank at night.

 

[blaxsun]

You could always throw some seaweed in for them.

 

[SlugSnorter]

Through in some Nori clips or sinking pellets

 

[Hellic]

Just an update, I just watched my Royal Gramma wrestle a nassarius snail. Definitely bit the snail because the nass. rolled to get free. I think my royal gramma is a snail killer.

 

[SlugSnorter]

Just an update, I just watched my Royal Gramma wrestle a nassarius snail. Definitely bit the snail because the nass. rolled to get free. I think my royal gramma is a snail killer.

It can be because they came near its hiding hole, its just an butt, or maybe you have a case of mistaken identity and its a royale dotty-back