Snails Seem to Keep Dying

[BriDroid]

It is confirmed the snail is gone from the shell, and if I was wrong, the trash I throw the empty shells in would stink eventually as the snail truly died.

When I say paralyzed, they will go from moving regularly when first added to sitting in the same spot until dead

That is exactly what my astrea snails do. It's odd. I've just given up on them at this point since others survive just fine.

 

[Hallowhead]

That is exactly what my astrea snails do. It's odd. I've just given up on them at this point since others survive just fine.

Trochus do it, but worse, astrea show some life for a day or two, Trochus are like instantly.

 

[X-37B]

If your buying snails fron one source try another.
Copper treatment in lfs will slowly kill snails. They look good at the store but won't make it at home.
Go to the place you bought them and buy a couple. Go home and test the lfs water for copper.
Lfs water may be the issue.
They get copper in their system and do ok for a short time then die in your system.
Something to consider.

 

[Hallowhead]

If your buying snails fron one source try another.
Copper treatment in lfs will slowly kill snails. They look good at the store but won't make it at home.
Go to the place you bought them and buy a couple. Go home and test the lfs water for copper.
Lfs water may be the issue.
They get copper in their system and do ok for a short time then die in your system.
Something to consider.

Confirmed it was not copper, but great tip! I have tried multiple vendors, same result :(

 

[sgdnycct]

Had a thought to add to the process of elimination. How about setting up a QT tank with tank water and strong grow light to get algae growing. Put some a snail there and see how it does. Assuming it does well then die a large water change to DT water. If it’s still doing well you’ll know it’s definitely not the water.

I agree that given how fast it’s happens it sounds like a monster in your tank.

 

[BriDroid]

Confirmed it was not copper, but great tip! I have tried multiple vendors, same result :(

Same here, I’ve bought them from at least 3 different LFS and 2 online retailers. They just don’t live. It will be interesting when I get my bigger tank setup soon if they’ll live in there or not.

 

[Dom]

Surprisingly, the word salinity has not come up in this thread.

What is your salinity in the tank and in the bag that the snails were transported in?

 

[Hallowhead]

Surprisingly, the word salinity has not come up in this thread.

What is your salinity in the tank and in the bag that the snails were transported in?

1.026 across both

 

[Hallowhead]

I was just feeding my tank and thought to myself I wonder if the mp40 which has gotten considerably louder is playing a role here. Like it's causing too much disturbance in the water

 

[dvgyfresh]

Per chance there is a leaking heater , or pump releasing electricity in the water? Stray voltage could be playing a role and only affecting snails for some odd reason. Additionally have you tried running a poly filer to see if they are toxins in the water? You would also be surprised how sneaky predators can be , there entire goal is to kill and not be seen

 

[Hallowhead]

Per chance there is a leaking heater , or pump releasing electricity in the water? Stray voltage could be playing a role and only affecting snails for some odd reason. Additionally have you tried running a poly filer to see if they are toxins in the water? You would also be surprised how sneaky predators can be , there entire goal is to kill and not be seen

I've tested for stray voltages, have 30 volts which isn't of concern.

I've thought about poly filter, but have not yet as ICP test will tell me the same.

 

[Rocks reef]

I was just feeding my tank and thought to myself I wonder if the mp40 which has gotten considerably louder is playing a role here. Like it's causing too much disturbance in the water

Considerably louder?
When is the last time you cleaned the wet side and checked the magnet?

 

[Hallowhead]

Considerably louder?
When is the last time you cleaned the wet side and checked the magnet?

I swap every 2/3 months with a secondary Westside that is then cleaned in Citric acid. The dry side is loud and when I put my ear to the tank it's a loud hum in the tank

 

[PPBlimpy]

can you examine the old shells. any chance there is a hole in them?

I was loosing CUC and found I had received a whelk snail at some point, maybe was a hitch hiker I am not sure. found around the same time i found a pom pom crab in my system but hadn't added anything to the tank in 8 months. Anyways he is now in my tank with a Porcupine puffer, haven't seen it in a couple weeks. Puffer probably had a snack.

i didn't realize what it was till i found it riding on a turbo snail that was dead the next day

 

[Hallowhead]

So a new theory just hit me. I put aiptasia eating shrimp in my tank a year ago never to be seen. A few months ago I saw his pippets under a rock, he's definitely there. Could he be eating the snails at night time ?

 

[ScottD]

You had said before that you lost snails in the sump too. So you’d either have to have at least 2 predators in your tank or it’s something else.

When was the last time you swapped out your wet sides? Was it before you started losing snails? I’d take a look at the wet side and see if the magnet is ok. Some have had issues with the coating cracking and the magnet leaching into the tank. I’m wondering if maybe that is affecting your snails.

 

[hangry]

Wondering if you’re acclimating them and if you’ve treated tank with anything including copper, algaecide etc

i let mine float in the bag with whatever else i get.. burst that bag open into a bowl and toss em in.. never had a problem... must be some other problem... hermits getting hungry and eating them up lol

I took all my hermit out

 

[141918]

They’re not high at all. My only guess is that there’s a chemical in the water that’s killing them off or they’re dying of hunger

Yes I would definitely run some carbon to get rid of anything in the water column.

 

[Hallowhead]

The cerith in my sump appear to be alive and moving around the glass. The cerith in my main tank are a different story.

Over the weekend, had an early morning look and found nass almost having a meeting of protest lol. These look like nass right ?

 

[inferior plank]

The cerith in my sump appear to be alive and moving around the glass. The cerith in my main tank are a different story.

Over the weekend, had an early morning look and found nass almost having a meeting of protest lol. These look like nass right ?

They mostly look like nassarius snails, but I’m unfamiliar with most of those. The one in the middle I’ve seen and is harmless.