Assassin Snails MIA?!

[lilsd]

I have a 10gal planted tank with neo shrimp, chili rasboras and a few CPD hybrids. The tank was overrun with Ramshorn snails (came with the plants…), so I added two assassin snails a few months ago to control the population. They are AWESOME and did exactly what they were meant to do. But now they are MIA and we haven’t seen them in about 3 weeks…

It was surprising to see(and kind of cute) that they actually tended to hang out together, and would even burrow into the substrate next to each other most of the time to “sleep” or whatever it is they do… there was one corner of the tank that they liked to sleep in, almost always together. But lately, neither one has been sighted.

I’ve kept up on water changes and water testing, nothing has changed and none of the fish or shrimp have had any issues…. So we have a few theories but wondering if someone more experienced might have a potential explanation as to where they might have gone or if they’re ever going to be seen again….?

Top theories in the household so far are:

A) They’ve eloped on a romantic honeymoon
B) The ramshorns have organized and rebelled to overthrow their oppressors
C) Murder suicide?

Open to other possible theories but we do hope we see them again!

 

[connorlindeman]

Its possible that they have burrowed into the substrate. They tend to be more active at night.

 

[lilsd]

Its possible that they have burrowed into the substrate. They tend to be more active at night.

They are definitely more active at night, but we tend to be night owls too so would always see them. Lately though, nothing at all…

 

[MaloK]

Yes, and they will also get lazy when too well fed, Hide all the time and take it easy.

 

[gwand]

I also have 2 assassins in a 20 gallon tank. They also cuddle frequently partially buried in the substrate. Then they disappear for a week or two. But the pile of dead pest snail corpses tells me they are alive and well .

 

[lilsd]

They have definitely been extremely well fed. Maybe I’ll try to remove all the old empty snail shells from the tank and see if more keep showing up

 

[Oldspartan]

We have three Assassins in the 37G. The only time they are seen is when the semi weekly thorough gravel vac is done. They, at least here, are cellar dwellers.