snails

[wuvmybetta]

I bought 4 mystery snails, they're really pretty about an inch in diameter, they've been in the tank about 5 days, my clown loaches & betta are having a fit over them. The loaches nudge them around not knowing if they're a snack or if they're supposed to live with them, the betta is abusive to them when the lights go out at night , knocking them off the wall and I saw him snatch a bite off of ones eye (?) feeler thing
So if one dies will it float? or do I have to check to see if they're all moving every night?
I don't want 1 to sit at the bottom of the tank hidden and rot or anything, so far 3 are out tonight crawling around but the 4th....?

 

[Thomas A. Anderson]

Snails will sometimes float when still alive due to trapped air in their shells, however, to make sure you can try the following:

1. Pull gently on the foot (the bit covering the shell opening) if the snail is alive you wont be able to pull it very far due to the muscles, if it is dead it will come away.

2. Smell it - dead snails stink!

If it is dead then take it out immediately as they will quickly pollute your tank.

 

[wuvmybetta]

Smell the snail huh?......Yikes!
But thanks for the info and I'll keep my eye on them because polluting my tank is exactly what I don't want
So far they're all alive still, my loaches can't handle it, they're driving themselves bonkers trying to pry the shells open
pigs.....they just had beef hearts this morning, I thought that would satisfy them for awhile...a very little while

 

[LesGerber]

From what I have heard and read snails to clown loaches are like catnip to a cat. They really love them and will go nuts to get them. Sorry to say if they are alive they wont be long. But on the upside your clowns will love you

Les

 

[elgecko]

For all your snail needs you can check this link out. http/www.applesnail.net

 

[Thomas A. Anderson]

When I had clowns (took them back as they were too big for my old tank), they never bothered by apple snails, the smaller ones - yes, but I think the apple snails were just too big for them.

 

[wuvmybetta]

So far all the snails are alive and well, and they've gotten a LOT braver since their introduction , they were obviously innocent and friendly and my betta put a stop to that,snatching at their little feelers which grew back..
The loaches adjusted and they only mess with the snails once in a while, ....rarely at all anymore,when theres an algae tablet in the tank the loaches go crazy for them but somehow the snails ALWAYS win the tab, it's a riot to see the loaches try to get the food away from the snails, they get so frustrated I've had to start feeding a tab and a half just so everybody gets their fair share



and thanks elgecko, I'm going to check out that site right now

 

[smudge]

I have yellow snails in four of my tanks... In my 40 gallon tank I had a female betta get stuck when one of my larger snails closed up when she nosed a bit too close. Needless to say she doesn't go near the snails anymore.

 

[wuvmybetta]