apple snail

[debiasir]

just bought 2 apple snails

one is moving round the tank but the other has not moved in about 30 minutes

what could be wrong with it

 

[morgan]

They sometimes don't do anything for a while, it is unnerving. I hope yours moves soon and it is OK. I have often thought that mine might be dead and then it moves! I read somewhere that when they are dead the body comes out of the shell, don't know how long that takes.

 

[smithrc]

we have a large apple snail the we moved last weekend - he hasnt come out yet (he peeks but thats it)

they can just sit for days...

As i'm typing this he's having another peek! (I've moved him onto a rock so he can get out easier as he is on sand)

the other thing they do is float about for ages too. they do this in the wild to get to other parts of the river to meet mates etc

as mentioned - when they are dead they dont hold the door shut - it this is moving about easily (eg as you lightly move it through the water, take it out and smell it - if it makes you heave - its dead

 

[superjalami30]

When they die, they will sometimes float.
Their shell fills with a gas that will cause them to float, at least thats what my LPS said.
Anyone ever hear of this?
I've had mytery snails float in my tank....and they were dead as dead can be.
The smell test let me know, asides from the fact it was half hanging outta it shell.

 

[smithrc]

If its left long enough to start rotting it will probubly float...

We fish ours out before then (same with dead fish)

 

[debiasir]

a little thing keeps coming outm, looks like a stalk i dunno ill leave him for a few days and see what happens

 

[morgan]

That stalk is probably his breathing tube, they suck in air to fill their lung. That sounds hopeful. Hope he is ok. (I say probably to cover myself but actually it is almost sure to be!)

 

[alabaster]

I had a medium-sized on that didn't move for 2 days, but hes okay... try feeding him cucumber, guarantee he'll come out asap. The tube you see is the siphon, which they use to breathe atmospheric oxygen from the surface. They also have a gill, which they use to breathe in water.

 

[AlexsDaddy]

Sorry this is kinda off topic but I think ya'll get a laugh out of it. I went to the lps last week to find something for my snails shells cuase they were getting soft. Well, one of the employees told me that snails periodicly molt their shells!!! I stood there staring at her dumbfounded, then finally snapped out of it and told her she needs to do some research, then walked out. I won't be going there anymore.

 

[BzztYeow]

applesnail.net has a lot about snail behavior. Snails lying dormant for days is not unusual in my limited reading.

The smell test is certainly reliable as all dead things will eventually stink.

Until then i wouldn't worry too much since dormancy (especially during the day) is not unusual.

 

[morgan]

What can you get to make the snail's shell stronger? My Apple Snail's shell is looking a little weak.

 

[abstract]

i was under the impression that the minerals in your water (even if you have soft water) are enough for the shell to grow properly....i don't think it is possible to SEE the shell looking weak, only touch it and tell

 

[The-Wolf]

What can you get to make the snail's shell stronger? My Apple Snail's shell is looking a little weak.

cuttlebone
often sold in pet stores for budgies to peck on
only place it in your tank for a few hours at a time, do not
I repeat do not leave it in the tank as it will effect the pH,
gH and kH of your water.

 

[RandomWiktor]

That's good to know; one of my snails had a mishap was dropped a long ways by my mom when I first got her; she had a big, long crack in her shell. It mended and she's been fine, but it still looks very weak there. Perhaps I'll try the cuttlebone. Not like my stupid damn birds use 'em anyways ::grumbles::

 

[morgan]

Thanks, I will get some and try that.