Snail lost it's shell??

mystrybird · 02/24/2007, 09:47 PM

Hi! I don't even really know where to post this one! Last night I was taking a look at the tank before I did a water change & was stunned to see an odd looking snail on the back wall of my tank. After closer inspection I realized that it was one of my Nassarius snails minus its shell!?? There is no doubt that it is indeed a Nassarius & I am including pics. It is still alive at this time & I pulled it out to get some better pics. Anyone have any idea what the heck happened?? How is it possible that that this snail is even still alive?? Thanks All!

Peter Eichler · 02/24/2007, 09:53 PM

Looks like a stomatella to me...

King-Kong · 02/24/2007, 10:08 PM

Def. not a stomatella.

You're right; it looks like there's no shell on that nassarius! Freaky! Take more pics

Peter Eichler · 02/24/2007, 10:14 PM

I didn't notice the proboscis the first time I looked at the pic so you could be right.

mystrybird · 02/24/2007, 10:27 PM

HI! I am certain it is Not a stomatella.. I have seen them before but not in my own tanks.. The anatomy of a stomatella is also very different from the one pictured. The body of a stomatella is smooth & lacks a siphon like tube..
The one that I have posted has a siphon & the body is curled into a corkscrew. I also have many Nassarius snails in this tank already & an empty shell was in the sand directly below. When I found it again this afternoon it was also attempting to burrow into the sand. Something a stomatella does not do.
Any ideas??

mystrybird · 02/24/2007, 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by King-Kong
Def. not a stomatella.

You're right; it looks like there's no shell on that nassarius! Freaky! Take more pics

Hi, You all must have posted while I was still working on my reply. I have not released it yet. What other areas would you like to see? I don't want to mess with it too much as it is a bit fragile.
I knew what it was last night & would have never bothered to post if I have not found it still alive today. I honestly thought that it would have died or became lunch for the tank scavengers..
I thought they could not live without a shell??
I am perplexed! I even had to go & check the moon phase.... that does not line up either....
Thanks!!

Myka · 02/24/2007, 11:03 PM

I wonder if you put him in a confined area with his shell if he'll go back in?

dc · 02/24/2007, 11:25 PM

I don't imagine it can live long enough to regrow a shell. I can't even imagine how that could happen.

SDguy · 02/24/2007, 11:28 PM

Snail porn!

mystrybird · 02/24/2007, 11:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Myka
I wonder if you put him in a confined area with his shell if he'll go back in?

LOL
No offence but... It is not a hermit crab...
Snails do not voluntary evacuate their shell..
The shell grows with them.. This is something that seems to defy everything I thought I ever learned..
A few years ago I collected some freshwater snail eggs in order to show my children how amazing nature & biology could be.. With the help of a microscope (& later visual only) they were able to witness the process..
What I am trying to convey is that I am no stranger in this area.
But I tell you what... If it is still alive in the am.... I will put the shell into the container for giggles... If it actually goes back into the shell I will call your LFS & set you up with a credit for 50$
Hugs! M

mystrybird · 02/25/2007, 12:01 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by SDguy
Snail porn!

You just made me spew a mouthful of a very fine German Riesling all over my keyboard by that comment!
Snail Porn... LOL

Myka · 02/25/2007, 12:28 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by mystrybird
LOL
No offence but... It is not a hermit crab...
Snails do not voluntary evacuate their shell..
The shell grows with them.. This is something that seems to defy everything I thought I ever learned..
A few years ago I collected some freshwater snail eggs in order to show my children how amazing nature & biology could be.. With the help of a microscope (& later visual only) they were able to witness the process..
What I am trying to convey is that I am no stranger in this area.
But I tell you what... If it is still alive in the am.... I will put the shell into the container for giggles... If it actually goes back into the shell I will call your LFS & set you up with a credit for 50$
Hugs! M

Hey, him coming out of the shell and living is "impossible" too right? Who knows...but I'll hold you to that $50!!!

mystrybird · 02/25/2007, 01:13 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Myka
Hey, him coming out of the shell and living is "impossible" too right? Who knows...but I'll hold you to that $50!!!

You do make a Strong point! The impossible has already occured.. I am not the kind of person that will make a "bet" & fails to pay..
I promise you.. A $50 dollar credit is yours if it returns to the shell.
I am working on how to set up camera's to document it at this very moment...
But I do have a major delimma at this point....
Right now the Nassarius (minus the shell) is in a small plastic drink glass. It is floating (wedged) into one of my smaller tanks at the moment for temp reasons only.. Being devoid of water flow it is certain that death will occur due to increasing ammonia & nitrate levels. I do not have a "nano" tank that I feel safe releasing it to.. (too many agressive carnivores) My display tank (the one it came from) is much the same...
Any ideas???

I still would like to know.. How is this possible?????
It has now been more than 24hrs since I first spotted this....
This is Wierd.....
Help Please!

Myka · 02/25/2007, 01:16 AM

You can get little floating net type QTs. They usually use them for freshwater livebearers and such. Try that out? You could even put some sand in there for the slug...oh I mean snail.

mystrybird · 02/25/2007, 01:37 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Myka
You can get little floating net type QTs. They usually use them for freshwater livebearers and such. Try that out? You could even put some sand in there for the slug...oh I mean snail.

WOW! I guess I deserved that.
You said: You could even put some sand in there for the slug...oh I mean snail.
I apologize if I made you feel that I was critical or making fun of your reply....
It is not a slug.. (but I guess that it might be defined as one now)
I just really need some help!!
Anyone have some Positive input???
Thanks??

greenbean36191 · 02/25/2007, 07:34 AM

It either survived an attack from a predator or the muscle attaching it to the shell broke down some how. It's not all that uncommon, and while it in itself wouldn't kill the snail, it will make it extremely vulnerable to predation.

Myka · 02/25/2007, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by mystrybird
WOW! I guess I deserved that.
You said: You could even put some sand in there for the slug...oh I mean snail.
I apologize if I made you feel that I was critical or making fun of your reply....
It is not a slug.. (but I guess that it might be defined as one now)
I just really need some help!!
Anyone have some Positive input???
Thanks??

LOL...no no no!!! I was joking around by calling it a slug! I mean it has no shell...how can it be a snail now? Hahaha! I didn't think you being critical or smart *** at all! I was the one being the smart ***.

But seriously, that was my positive input, get one of those little floating net "cages" and put some sand in it for the SNAIL. It will allow water to pass through, and protect the snail from predation.

"Net Breeders" http://www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsUS...wType=Category

mystrybird · 02/25/2007, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Myka
LOL...no no no!!! I was joking around by calling it a slug! I mean it has no shell...how can it be a snail now? Hahaha! I didn't think you being critical or smart *** at all! I was the one being the smart ***.

But seriously, that was my positive input, get one of those little floating net "cages" and put some sand in it for the SNAIL. It will allow water to pass through, and protect the snail from predation.

"Net Breeders" http://www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsUS...wType=Category

Hi! & thanks! I used to have one of those net cages.. The dog got ahold of it around christmas time & I haven't gotten around to replacing it.

No 50 for you yet! LOL I sank the cup into one of my nano tanks last night. I did put the shell in but I don't think he is going to go back in! TeeHee
Seriously though, It is interesting to see it still alive. I feel bad for the poor thing, keeps trying to bury itself & cant.. everytime it tries the soft body uncurls & he just can't manage to sink in... I should just set it free in the main tank & let nature take its course.. however my curiosity is peaked & I want to know just how long it will actually live...
Take Care! M

kzooreefer · 02/26/2007, 02:35 PM

Hermit crabs will evict snails to take over their shells as they grow and usually the snail dies rather quickly afterwards.

mystrybird · 02/26/2007, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by kzooreefer
Hermit crabs will evict snails to take over their shells as they grow and usually the snail dies rather quickly afterwards.

Hi! That I am familiar with. (That is why this tank is crab free) When I did have some in the tank I never witnessed a snail that lived through it. This little guy has been going for at least 4 days now! I dont see any damage to the tissue that would indicate something ripped it out of the shell. Maybe its an exibitionist? LOL
The only thing that I am certain of is that the little critter is like the Energizer Bunny.... he just keeps going... LOL Wierd..
Anyway, I take it you are from Kalamazoo?? I used to live there years ago & loved it. If it had not been so far away from family I would have stayed.. It is the one place I have lived (aside from here) that I felt at home...
M

mfp4073 · 02/26/2007, 08:25 PM

I posted a thread like this awhile back...... Mine lived for at least 3 weeks like that and then I didnt see him anymore.

mystrybird · 02/26/2007, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mfp4073
I posted a thread like this awhile back...... Mine lived for at least 3 weeks like that and then I didnt see him anymore.

Wow! Thanks! I am glad to see that mine is not the only snail that has become a nudist! LOL

mystrybird · 02/26/2007, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by greenbean36191
It either survived an attack from a predator or the muscle attaching it to the shell broke down some how. It's not all that uncommon, and while it in itself wouldn't kill the snail, it will make it extremely vulnerable to predation.

Hi! I missed your reply. sorry.. I don't think that it was a predator attack. I wonder if it was a mating session gone bad. (the first few years I had them in my tank I thought they were fighting)
But what I would really like more info about is what might cause a breakdown to the muscle?
I ask this because I worry that my tank might be lacking somthing. Is there a test that I might be missing? An additive that I am failing to add? At the moment this tank is FOWLR as I always wait for at least 1.5yrs of running before I add coral.. I am close to that date & don't want to miss something.
Thanks for any help you have!
M

greenbean36191 · 02/27/2007, 08:21 AM

It's not likely due to a lack of anything. It could be due to a genetic defect, disease, parasites, etc. It's nothing you can do anything about, and it's extremely unlikely to affect other snails in the same tank.

02/24/2007, 09:47 PM	#1
mystrybird Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: midwest Posts: 85	Snail lost it's shell?? Hi! I don't even really know where to post this one! Last night I was taking a look at the tank before I did a water change & was stunned to see an odd looking snail on the back wall of my tank. After closer inspection I realized that it was one of my Nassarius snails minus its shell!?? There is no doubt that it is indeed a Nassarius & I am including pics. It is still alive at this time & I pulled it out to get some better pics. Anyone have any idea what the heck happened?? How is it possible that that this snail is even still alive?? Thanks All!

02/24/2007, 09:53 PM	#2
Peter Eichler Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Milwaukee Posts: 6,081	Looks like a stomatella to me... __________________ April 2015 TOTM

02/24/2007, 10:14 PM	#4
Peter Eichler Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Milwaukee Posts: 6,081	I didn't notice the proboscis the first time I looked at the pic so you could be right. __________________ April 2015 TOTM

02/24/2007, 11:03 PM	#7
Myka Reefing since '93 Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: SK, Canada Posts: 2,436	I wonder if you put him in a confined area with his shell if he'll go back in? __________________ ~ Mindy, SPS addict. Current Tank Info: 69 SPS (73 gal net) established July 1/15. (HBD Canada!) ATB 840, ATI 6-bulb dimmable. Fauna Marin balling lite method.

02/24/2007, 11:25 PM	#8
dc Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Wyoming Posts: 44,684	I don't imagine it can live long enough to regrow a shell. I can't even imagine how that could happen. __________________ Debi ~60 Cube~ Why? Because I said so of course. -Sent via Tapatalk Smoke Signals-

02/24/2007, 10:08 PM	#3
King-Kong Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Gainesville, FL Posts: 2,346	Def. not a stomatella. You're right; it looks like there's no shell on that nassarius! Freaky! Take more pics

02/24/2007, 10:27 PM	#5
mystrybird Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: midwest Posts: 85	HI! I am certain it is Not a stomatella.. I have seen them before but not in my own tanks.. The anatomy of a stomatella is also very different from the one pictured. The body of a stomatella is smooth & lacks a siphon like tube.. The one that I have posted has a siphon & the body is curled into a corkscrew. I also have many Nassarius snails in this tank already & an empty shell was in the sand directly below. When I found it again this afternoon it was also attempting to burrow into the sand. Something a stomatella does not do. Any ideas??

02/24/2007, 11:28 PM	#9
SDguy Fish heads unite! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: San Diego Posts: 23,384	Snail porn! __________________ Peter SDMAS member Marine tanks since 1989. ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸><((((º> ·´¯`·.¸. , . .·´¯`·.. ><((((º> Current Tank Info: 240g butterfly and angel FOWLR. 15g QT.

02/25/2007, 01:16 AM	#14
Myka Reefing since '93 Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: SK, Canada Posts: 2,436	You can get little floating net type QTs. They usually use them for freshwater livebearers and such. Try that out? You could even put some sand in there for the slug...oh I mean snail. __________________ ~ Mindy, SPS addict. Current Tank Info: 69 SPS (73 gal net) established July 1/15. (HBD Canada!) ATB 840, ATI 6-bulb dimmable. Fauna Marin balling lite method.

02/25/2007, 07:34 AM	#16
greenbean36191 Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Ft. Lauderdale Posts: 10,598	It either survived an attack from a predator or the muscle attaching it to the shell broke down some how. It's not all that uncommon, and while it in itself wouldn't kill the snail, it will make it extremely vulnerable to predation. __________________ Some say the sun rises in the East. Some say it rises in the West. The truth must be somewhere in the middle. Current Tank Info: tore them down to move and haven't had the time or money to set them back up

02/26/2007, 02:35 PM	#19
kzooreefer Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Michigan Posts: 453	Hermit crabs will evict snails to take over their shells as they grow and usually the snail dies rather quickly afterwards. __________________ Tank.........29-gallon glass Lighting.....Current Orbit Marine LED Filtration....Reef Octopus BH90 HOB Skimmer, GFO Reactor. Flow..........2 Jebao WP10 Powerheads

02/26/2007, 08:25 PM	#21
mfp4073 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Winter Park, FL Posts: 1,506	I posted a thread like this awhile back...... Mine lived for at least 3 weeks like that and then I didnt see him anymore. __________________ Bristle worms are evil and need to be eradicated, at night they creep out of the tank and charge internet porn to your credit cards....ask me how I know. Anyone else notice that anthelia smells like fresh cut water chestnuts? ....they call me chad Current Tank Info: 1 crashed 75 gal..it was really beautiful while it lasted.

02/27/2007, 08:21 AM	#24
greenbean36191 Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Ft. Lauderdale Posts: 10,598	It's not likely due to a lack of anything. It could be due to a genetic defect, disease, parasites, etc. It's nothing you can do anything about, and it's extremely unlikely to affect other snails in the same tank. __________________ Some say the sun rises in the East. Some say it rises in the West. The truth must be somewhere in the middle. Current Tank Info: tore them down to move and haven't had the time or money to set them back up