snails

[ang7880]

hey guys. i have 3 snails, and I can't remember what kind. looks a lot like this guy here though, http/www.applesnail.net/content/photogra...s_viviparus.jpg ...

and, well, the other morning, i went to check on the fishies and one the snails was no more. the shell was there, but nothing inside. does anyone have a clue as to what could have happened? no agressive tank mates.

thanks - angela

 

[mollie]

Hi, i spied one snail when i first set up me tank, i assumed he'd come with my plants he grew a bit but never bothered the fish, but i always thought that snails, like hermit crabs had to find bigger shells to move into, so i wondered what he'd do when he grew! Then last night found two more tiny snails and a medium sized one! again must have come with new plant and i too found an empty shell, perhaps the fish suck em out of their shells? i was going to hoover them up, but they don't seem to be bothering the fish or eating my plants so i guess i'll leave em til they misbehave then i'll just whip em out!
mollie

 

[ang7880]

Hi and thanks for your reply, but these aren't pond snails. I purchased them myself. I just want to know if anyone else knows what happened to one of them. These snails are much bigger than my fish, except for my pleco, but he's harmless, right?

 

[rsz]

maybe it died, and the fish ate the snail (apart from the shell), or maybe it decomposed in your tank

 

[Cian McLiam]

Hi,
Im not sure what type of snail this is or what happened to it but its good your keeping an eye on them as well as the fish. Its never a good idea to have a rotting snail in your tank, either a pet snail or a pest snail. The high protein tissue can cause a deadly build up of toxins which will kill fish, so never use anti-snail products to try to remove them. Hope the other two fare better!

Ken