Snails dying off

conk12301 · 04/16/2012, 03:52 PM

So my 55g FOWLR has been having a problem with inverts. The original batch of snails I had in the tank has all gradually died off -- yet the hermits are going strong still.

Would could be the cause of this?

The tank is tough to describe in a sense. I had a 36g reef up for about a year. This had lots of algae problems and the CUC was always busy. A few months ago, I switched all live stock (CUC included - corals excluded) into a new 55 gallon set up. The tank is rather understocked -- so it keeps kind of clean. Not much algae except on the glass.

Ever since I switched the snails have died off. Yet the hermits lived. It would make sense that maybe the tank is too "clean" for them -- but then why wouldn't the hermits die too?

By the way, fish are going completely strong.

Only other thing that has died in the last year or so has been a cleaner shrimp. Another invert.

Any clues on what might be causing this? Is there something that maybe snails NEED that hermits don't?

Oh - and lastly - to throw another wrench into things: my three nassarius snails are going strong. I can't make sense of this.

Jacob Sellers · 04/16/2012, 03:53 PM

My hermits ate my snails.

HaKs310 · 04/16/2012, 04:10 PM

I would think that the snails just didn't have enough algae to go around. The hermits and nassaurius mainly feed off of any uneaten food or detritus that drifts their way.

But that's just my opinion.

tangs_tank · 04/16/2012, 05:03 PM

Its normally lack of food for them. I had the same problem for a while so I don't stock as many snails unless I need them.

J-Burns · 04/16/2012, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jacob sellers

my hermits ate my snails.

+1

yachtdr22 · 04/21/2012, 12:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J-Burns

+1

+2 ??

tony53176 · 04/21/2012, 12:27 AM

what are your water parameters, I don't know about hermit crabs but I know that snails are very sensitive to high, and I'm only talking more than 10ppm, nitrates.

jerpa · 04/21/2012, 10:12 AM

I'm guessing predation as well. If the tank is very clean the crabs will eat the snails. The nassarius can hide safely under the sand but I assume would be effected by any parameter problems.

aleonn · 04/21/2012, 11:43 AM

Predation (I never trust any crab, JMO; also check for pistol/mantis hitch hiker shrimp), water parameters, toxins (history of copper use), possibly excessive magnesium, and lack of food could be factors.

Also, what snails did you get? Some species are cold water species (I think Mexican turbos or Margarita snails, I forget which), and would eventually die in a typical tank.

sucker_fish · 04/21/2012, 12:32 PM

I would definitely bring the hermits in for questioning. My hermits used to off my snails then steal their shells. I actually think they were more of opportunists, if a snail fell off the glass and landed upside down it was done, crab gets a good meal and a new home out of the deal.

zeebies · 04/21/2012, 12:42 PM

You may have a hidden predator worm that goes after snails. I'm dealing with this right now:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...0#post20163450

04/16/2012, 03:52 PM	#1
conk12301 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 175	Snails dying off So my 55g FOWLR has been having a problem with inverts. The original batch of snails I had in the tank has all gradually died off -- yet the hermits are going strong still. Would could be the cause of this? The tank is tough to describe in a sense. I had a 36g reef up for about a year. This had lots of algae problems and the CUC was always busy. A few months ago, I switched all live stock (CUC included - corals excluded) into a new 55 gallon set up. The tank is rather understocked -- so it keeps kind of clean. Not much algae except on the glass. Ever since I switched the snails have died off. Yet the hermits lived. It would make sense that maybe the tank is too "clean" for them -- but then why wouldn't the hermits die too? By the way, fish are going completely strong. Only other thing that has died in the last year or so has been a cleaner shrimp. Another invert. Any clues on what might be causing this? Is there something that maybe snails NEED that hermits don't? Oh - and lastly - to throw another wrench into things: my three nassarius snails are going strong. I can't make sense of this.

04/16/2012, 04:10 PM	#3
HaKs310 Forever Learning Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Whittier, CA Posts: 1,241	I would think that the snails just didn't have enough algae to go around. The hermits and nassaurius mainly feed off of any uneaten food or detritus that drifts their way. But that's just my opinion. __________________ IM Fusion Pro 20 Peninsula \| Nanobox Duo Plus M \| AquaIllumination Nero 3 \| XP Aqua Duetto Dual-Sensor ATO \| Eheim Jager 75w Heater

04/21/2012, 12:27 AM	#7
tony53176 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Auburn, MA. Posts: 268	what are your water parameters, I don't know about hermit crabs but I know that snails are very sensitive to high, and I'm only talking more than 10ppm, nitrates. __________________ Go Patriots!! Current Tank Info: 75gal AGA, reaction 4 canister filter with UV sterilizer, 80lbs live sand, 55lbs dry live pukani rock, 2 1300gph circulation pumps, aquamaxx HOB-1 skimmer, 216 watt T5 lights

04/21/2012, 12:32 PM	#10
sucker_fish Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Covington, TN Posts: 441	I would definitely bring the hermits in for questioning. My hermits used to off my snails then steal their shells. I actually think they were more of opportunists, if a snail fell off the glass and landed upside down it was done, crab gets a good meal and a new home out of the deal. __________________ <------- Have you ever seen tortoises playing leapfrog? Current Tank Info: 40 B w/ T5's and tunze 9002 skimmer. no sump. 90 gal. mixed reef, 36"x16"x16" sump/fuge, reef octopus xp2000 skimmer, water blaster hy5000 return.

04/16/2012, 03:53 PM	#2
Jacob Sellers Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Plymouth, Minnesota Posts: 182	My hermits ate my snails.

04/16/2012, 05:03 PM	#4
tangs_tank Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Grayslake, Il Posts: 135	Its normally lack of food for them. I had the same problem for a while so I don't stock as many snails unless I need them.

04/21/2012, 10:12 AM	#8
jerpa Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 2,174	I'm guessing predation as well. If the tank is very clean the crabs will eat the snails. The nassarius can hide safely under the sand but I assume would be effected by any parameter problems.

04/21/2012, 11:43 AM	#9
aleonn Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 4,041	Predation (I never trust any crab, JMO; also check for pistol/mantis hitch hiker shrimp), water parameters, toxins (history of copper use), possibly excessive magnesium, and lack of food could be factors. Also, what snails did you get? Some species are cold water species (I think Mexican turbos or Margarita snails, I forget which), and would eventually die in a typical tank.

04/21/2012, 12:42 PM	#11
zeebies Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: NE Coast Posts: 851	You may have a hidden predator worm that goes after snails. I'm dealing with this right now: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...0#post20163450