How to release snails

fishgate · 05/13/2013, 05:53 AM

I have a few large zebra snails that I want to feed some vegetable sheets by placing them right on it. I can never get them off the glass or rocks. If I catch them on the substrate it is fine but is there a way to get them off the glass and rocks without hurting them?

shifty51008 · 05/13/2013, 06:02 AM

Givr them a little twist and they usually let go

justthewife · 05/13/2013, 01:13 PM

I feel your pain. I have had the same problem. If you pull on them you could break their foot. I can sometimes release them by tapping on their shell until they fall off the glass or if that fails you could try releasing the suction carefully with your fingernail or maybe a credit card like you would a suction cup. They can be very stubborn. I would just place the food somewhere close by and not worry about putting them directly on it. They will make their way to it on their own.

SushiGirl · 05/13/2013, 01:25 PM

I just put a fingernail under the edge of the foot close to the head to start breaking suction and they let go.

05/13/2013, 05:53 AM	#1
fishgate Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Damascus, MD Posts: 3,340	How to release snails I have a few large zebra snails that I want to feed some vegetable sheets by placing them right on it. I can never get them off the glass or rocks. If I catch them on the substrate it is fine but is there a way to get them off the glass and rocks without hurting them? __________________ 125RR in-wall, 40B Sump, CS180 BM Skimmer, ATI 4x80 watt, eheim 1262, custom wrap around rock wall, ReefKeeper Elite 120g in-wall, 40B Sump, PC 54wx4, Jabao DC-6000 (full siphon), future seahorse t Current Tank Info: 125g, 120g, 2x40b sumps, ATI 4x80 T5HO

05/13/2013, 06:02 AM	#2
shifty51008 12-5 Chiefs record Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: NW Iowa Posts: 10,134	Givr them a little twist and they usually let go __________________ 75 gal. mixed DT, 100 gal. sump, 50 gal. fuge, Clownfish breeder

05/13/2013, 01:25 PM	#4
SushiGirl Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Fort Worth, TX USA Posts: 8,267	I just put a fingernail under the edge of the foot close to the head to start breaking suction and they let go. __________________ Visit my Homepage or "My Albums" (via Profile) for hitchhiker pics. Current Tank Info: 55g softy/LPS tank & 20L reef tank

05/13/2013, 01:13 PM	#3
justthewife Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Endicott, NY Posts: 909	I feel your pain. I have had the same problem. If you pull on them you could break their foot. I can sometimes release them by tapping on their shell until they fall off the glass or if that fails you could try releasing the suction carefully with your fingernail or maybe a credit card like you would a suction cup. They can be very stubborn. I would just place the food somewhere close by and not worry about putting them directly on it. They will make their way to it on their own.