Is This Snail Poop?!

[Akasha72]

glad he's moving around! He's definitely alive then lol ... as Lyra says too, he's doing you a favour cos he's moving the sand around for you and releasing any built up gases. This is why I keep trumpet snails in my sand. They do the same job aswell as being a good clean up crew

 

[Ch4rlie]

Yep, snails are pretty resilient creatures as I have found from my experiences from cycling a few tanks.
 
I have had a couple of cycles going with snails in right from the start, I did not do anything specifically for these snails, and around 5 weeks later after successful completion of cycles, there they are!
 
Amazing really, going through a cycle where I have been adding 3ppm ammonia, nitrite spikes and over 100ppm nitrates etc. I have kept snails ever since as I believe they are of more benefit to my tanks due to eating leftover food debris, algae and turning over substrate and as a by product they poop a lot, you can't have everything
 
Including assassins snails

 

[Akasha72]

what I didn't know (and have only just found out by accident) is that snails actually create ammonia and nitrite! I never knew that!
 
I only found out because I had to move my two zebra nerite snails into a seperate tank whilst my main tank is under treatment. I added a heater for them and an air stone thinking that was all they'd need. After two days both snails are trying to escape the tank so I tested the water. I got readings for ammonia and nitrite - only small ones but they were there. As soon as I changed the water the snails went happily back into it and stayed there. I've added a filter now - and some fish (that's another story though and is irrelivent) and the snails are much happier.
 
I did remember reading once that some snails will actually alert you to water quality problems. If they are heading out of the water then that usually means something isn't right. Clever snails, you gotta love em

 

[thrujenseyes]

Oh goodness...
Maybe the assassin is out and about in my house!??!  haha
Like I said, he's been moving about under the substrate but I haven't dug to find him in a few days.
Geez...don't want to find him on my pillow!
I will hunt for him tonight.
That other little snail that popped up a few days ago gets noticeably larger every day.  
It's amazing to watch.
 
And good to know about them creating ammonia and nitrite.  

 

[thrujenseyes]

I took a little video of the little snail that showed up out of nowhere...
 
I'm not sure if I'm doing this right but I'm going to try and link you to my instagram page:
 
https/instagram.com/p/2G8-mOSWWt/
 
anyone know what this guy is?!

 

[LyraGuppi]

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/424364-freshwater-snail-species-in-the-hobby/
 
Here is the snail guide, he looks like a standard pond snail though.

 

[thrujenseyes]

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/424364-freshwater-snail-species-in-the-hobby/
 
Here is the snail guide, he looks like a standard pond snail though.

yep...that sure looks like him! 
 
Thanks!

 

[thrujenseyes]

Ok....so I just got done completely rooting thru the tank...
Assassin is MIA.
I even checked the filter and behind the tank and ...well...
I'm almost half expecting to find a shell in my dogs poops outside!!??
Could he have crawled out and and down a wall??
If so ...my dogs would not miss such an opportunity!

 

[Ch4rlie]

Assassin snails spend quite a bit of time under the substrate.

That's the most likely place where he'll be

 

[Akasha72]

is the tank open topped? If you've not got a lid there's a chance he's gone walk abouts. As Ch4rlie says though, he's probably sleeping under the sand somewhere

 

[thrujenseyes]

Well it's the little fluval edge...there is a small opening but it's capped off with a cover. I don't think he can escape?! But I suppose it's a possibility.
But knowing they are "hiders" and enjoy time under the substrate...I'm hoping he's ok and safely hidden!

Thanks guys!!

Do other people worry about their snails or am I a total weirdo?!

 

[Akasha72]

snails 'see' by their antenae so once his antenae detects something blocking the way - such as a tank lid - he should just turn around. That said my assassin never left the tank floor ... I never saw him on the glass really and so hopefully yours in the same and he's just sleeping under the sand

 

[Ch4rlie]

My assassins go on the glass when have algae wafers out or when I put in pond snails for them to munch on, so they do come out occassionally

 

[Akasha72]

probably just mine then! Mine lived on the trumpet snail population and they were in the gravel at the time - hence why he probably never moved from the substrate - he didn't need to lol

 

[thrujenseyes]

I discovered mine once I'd put the plants in the tank (day one) and for probably 5 days he was out and about...active and adorable ....then vanished but I'd see the tip of his shell sticking out of the substrate and could tell he was tunnelling around.
But he's been completely mia for days and days now...
Hopefully he's resting somewhere in the substrate while the tank cycles and isn't roaming my house.  Although that's kind of a hilarious thought.
 
He has yet to eat the little snack pond snail that's growing and pooping up a storm.... and gets around the tank like lightening! He's very active and fast.