Three Mexican Turbos died (Why? - Hermits killing them?)

chrisbenavides · 05/19/2006, 11:44 AM

Just wanted to know what some possible causes for three Mexican Turbos would die in my tank in less than two days apart.

Are they sensitive to something in water levels?

Are they being murdered by my hermits (a few are not tiny anymore)?

Any other suggestions?

Fish are doing great and so are the corals (except for the Torch coral - which bleached, thinned out, and died). Why would a coral die in a tank? I think my small lobo brain coral is on the same path. All zoanthids, xenias, mushrooms, softcorals (Kenya tree) are doing great though.

THANKS!!!!

Sk8r · 05/19/2006, 12:07 PM

No, the snails' dying is a serious warning of declining water conditions. You do not post your parameters. In order for us to help you, please give the exact numbers:

Temperature range
alk
cal
mg
salinity
nitrite
nitrate
phosphate
ammonia

chrisbenavides · 05/19/2006, 12:21 PM

Ok...I'll check them today as soon as I get home. The last time I checked (which was a month ago), everything was right on. I tested for ammonia, salinity, nitrite, nitrate, and pH. Everything was good then.

I'll check on post.

Thanks!

kmgriff72 · 05/19/2006, 01:31 PM

You haven't checked your water paremeters in over a month ???

Randall_James · 05/19/2006, 02:00 PM

In addition to the water params/ When were the snails added to tank prior to their demise?

Ursus · 05/19/2006, 05:07 PM

Could be a stroke of bad luck, for example all three snails falling on their backs and not being able to turn themselves over, or could be a sign of declining conditions.

bertoni · 05/19/2006, 08:53 PM

Could also be the hermits or some other predator, or starvation. Typically, determining what killed a snail is, well, impossible, but we might be able to come up with some possible problems.

Gary Majchrzak · 05/19/2006, 08:59 PM

Another possibility: what is called a "Mexican Turbo" might actually be a temperate water species of snail.

Are you sure they aren't taking a siesta?

Randall_James · 05/19/2006, 09:43 PM

as acclimation is pretty important was why I wondered how long they had been in tank

chrisbenavides · 05/19/2006, 11:08 PM

I know that I am not one who checks my water parameters that often (ok I confess)....but I did not know that once a month or so (every third week) was that bad too. I bet that there are many who never ever check. I know that it is a good habit to check (obviously), which is why I will post my results ASAP.

THANKS everybody.

LazyD · 05/20/2006, 01:04 AM

I dont think it would be the hermits, they have been known to kill snails etc. from time to time for the snail's shell but most of the time hermits will only eat what is already on "the way out"

Sk8r · 05/20/2006, 09:10 AM

I check my params at least every 3 days, usually every two. Five is as long as I've ever been without testing (out of town.) When you do it often, you can run the entire series inside 5 minutes. There are shortcuts with Salifert which you will discover if you test often.

Randall_James · 05/20/2006, 12:53 PM

Chris, do not feel bad, 1 time a month is all my tanks get also, however I am part of the 50% water change club. So test kits, additives and bad water are pretty much history

05/19/2006, 11:44 AM	#1
chrisbenavides Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Laredo, TX Posts: 1,897	Three Mexican Turbos died (Why? - Hermits killing them?) Just wanted to know what some possible causes for three Mexican Turbos would die in my tank in less than two days apart. Are they sensitive to something in water levels? Are they being murdered by my hermits (a few are not tiny anymore)? Any other suggestions? Fish are doing great and so are the corals (except for the Torch coral - which bleached, thinned out, and died). Why would a coral die in a tank? I think my small lobo brain coral is on the same path. All zoanthids, xenias, mushrooms, softcorals (Kenya tree) are doing great though. THANKS!!!! __________________ ChrisBenavides Current Tank Info: 55g sw tank, Remora skimmer, powerfilter, 260w PC lights, 50 pounds live rock, 100 pounds sand, etc.... \| Seahorse Tank (3 H. Kuda, 2 Pep.) 30g tall, skimmer, 130w PC lights, HOB Penguin filter, 30 pounds Fiji and Tonga branch l.r., 4 inch sand bed.

05/19/2006, 12:07 PM	#2
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	No, the snails' dying is a serious warning of declining water conditions. You do not post your parameters. In order for us to help you, please give the exact numbers: Temperature range alk cal mg salinity nitrite nitrate phosphate ammonia __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

05/19/2006, 12:21 PM	#3
chrisbenavides Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Laredo, TX Posts: 1,897	Ok...I'll check them today as soon as I get home. The last time I checked (which was a month ago), everything was right on. I tested for ammonia, salinity, nitrite, nitrate, and pH. Everything was good then. I'll check on post. Thanks! __________________ ChrisBenavides Current Tank Info: 55g sw tank, Remora skimmer, powerfilter, 260w PC lights, 50 pounds live rock, 100 pounds sand, etc.... \| Seahorse Tank (3 H. Kuda, 2 Pep.) 30g tall, skimmer, 130w PC lights, HOB Penguin filter, 30 pounds Fiji and Tonga branch l.r., 4 inch sand bed.

05/19/2006, 01:31 PM	#4
kmgriff72 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 32	You haven't checked your water paremeters in over a month ??? __________________ Kim Current Tank Info: 75 gallon tank--Fluval 404 filter, around 10 lbd of LR (I know I need more) Reg. flurescent lights, CC bed, xenia, 2 mushrooms, 3 chromis, 2 FP clownfish, 2 crabs and a turbo snail

05/19/2006, 02:00 PM	#5
Randall_James Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 6,727	In addition to the water params/ When were the snails added to tank prior to their demise? __________________ "It's a dog eat dog world and I feel like I am wearing milkbone underwear"

05/19/2006, 05:07 PM	#6
Ursus Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 480	Could be a stroke of bad luck, for example all three snails falling on their backs and not being able to turn themselves over, or could be a sign of declining conditions.

05/19/2006, 08:53 PM	#7
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	Could also be the hermits or some other predator, or starvation. Typically, determining what killed a snail is, well, impossible, but we might be able to come up with some possible problems. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

05/19/2006, 08:59 PM	#8
Gary Majchrzak Team RC Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 41,560	Another possibility: what is called a "Mexican Turbo" might actually be a temperate water species of snail. Are you sure they aren't taking a siesta? __________________ over 24 years experience with multiple types of marine aquarium systems see Upstate Reef Society Forum on RC and FB GOOGLE JUNIOR'S REEF Current Tank Info: 84x24x30 265g reef past TOTM honors

05/19/2006, 09:43 PM	#9
Randall_James Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 6,727	as acclimation is pretty important was why I wondered how long they had been in tank __________________ "It's a dog eat dog world and I feel like I am wearing milkbone underwear"

05/19/2006, 11:08 PM	#10
chrisbenavides Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Laredo, TX Posts: 1,897	I know that I am not one who checks my water parameters that often (ok I confess)....but I did not know that once a month or so (every third week) was that bad too. I bet that there are many who never ever check. I know that it is a good habit to check (obviously), which is why I will post my results ASAP. THANKS everybody. __________________ ChrisBenavides Current Tank Info: 55g sw tank, Remora skimmer, powerfilter, 260w PC lights, 50 pounds live rock, 100 pounds sand, etc.... \| Seahorse Tank (3 H. Kuda, 2 Pep.) 30g tall, skimmer, 130w PC lights, HOB Penguin filter, 30 pounds Fiji and Tonga branch l.r., 4 inch sand bed.

05/20/2006, 01:04 AM	#11
LazyD Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Petaluma, CA Posts: 122	I dont think it would be the hermits, they have been known to kill snails etc. from time to time for the snail's shell but most of the time hermits will only eat what is already on "the way out"

05/20/2006, 09:10 AM	#12
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	I check my params at least every 3 days, usually every two. Five is as long as I've ever been without testing (out of town.) When you do it often, you can run the entire series inside 5 minutes. There are shortcuts with Salifert which you will discover if you test often. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

05/20/2006, 12:53 PM	#13
Randall_James Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 6,727	Chris, do not feel bad, 1 time a month is all my tanks get also, however I am part of the 50% water change club. So test kits, additives and bad water are pretty much history __________________ "It's a dog eat dog world and I feel like I am wearing milkbone underwear"