Is My Mexican Turbo Snail Dead or Dying?

[Hugh Mann]

Came home from work last night to find my turbo had fallen and was unable to right itself, but it did look like it was moving a bit, so I placed it upright on a rock, where it hasn’t moved for 24 hours. Just closed up tight in its shell. No noticeable smell, and isn’t being eaten by anything. This is my invert QT, it’s been in for for 32 days and prior to this was fine. The 15 hermit crabs and 4 nassarius are doing great as well. Been periodically feeding pellets and seaweed in addition to the algae growing on the rocks I pulled from my sump.

If it helps, volume is 20 gallons, salinity is 1.025, temperature is 81°f. Unsure about the nitrates, as I spilled my test kit (not in the tank) when I went to test. Not one available in my little hick town.

 

[mjw011689]

Not sure if it’s dying or not, but 81 is kinda on the high side. It might just be trying to fight through the temp

 

[LiLinka]

Do you see a body in the shell? Usually when turbos flip over they end up dying unless you help them. That’s why I prefer trochus because they are able to flip themselves back over.

 

[j.falk]

Smell it, you'll have your answer.

 

[Hugh Mann]

Not sure if it’s dying or not, but 81 is kinda on the high side. It might just be trying to fight through the temp

It is, however during my reading regarding invert QT, it was recommended to keep the temperature at 81 for 45 days to ensure all strains of velvet and ich run out their lifecycle and starve out.

 

[j.falk]

Put your hand in the tank, grab the snail, pull it out of the water, put it to your nose, give it a sniff. Report back with your results.

 

[Hugh Mann]

Do you see a body in the shell? Usually when turbos flip over they end up dying unless you help them. That’s why I prefer trochus because they are able to flip themselves back over.

All I see is that trapdoor, I believe it’s called operculum?

 

[Hugh Mann]

Put your hand in the tank, grab the snail, pull it out of the water, put it to your nose, give it a sniff. Report back with your results.

I call this out in my original post.

Gave it the sniff test. No noticeable smell.

 

[LiLinka]

All I see is that trapdoor, I believe it’s called operculum?

It should still be alive then.

 

[j.falk]

I call this out in my original post.

Gave it the sniff test. No noticeable smell.

Who has time to read OP posts!

Did you press in on the operculum when you were smelling it? If the snail is alive, it will pull the operculum in tight when you press on it...if it's dead, the snail carcass will come tumbling out.

 

[Hugh Mann]

Who has time to read OP posts!

Did you press in on the operculum when you were smelling it? If the snail is alive, it will pull the operculum in tight when you press on it...if it's dead, the snail carcass will come tumbling out.

No, but I just did. It was already pretty tight when I pulled it out and had no reaction to being poked.

Turbo better not be dead, dang thing was $7.00 and a very effective cleaner.

 

[mjw011689]

7???! I thought my store was high at 4.50

 

[Hugh Mann]

7???! I thought my store was high at 4.50

$7.45 to be precise, plus 12% tax. Welcome to BC (Bring Cash), Canada.

Mexican Turbo Snail

A fast moving snail that is good for larger aquariums. Mainly lives on the glass.

www.jlaquatics.com

 

[I never finish anythi]

£7.50 each at my lfs in the UK.

 

[j.falk]

No, but I just did. It was already pretty tight when I pulled it out and had no reaction to being poked.

That's a good sign.

 

[jda]

81 is way too high for a turbo snail. They can barely handle 78 and will often be short lived at that. 75-76 is better. At 72 they are way more active and consumer a lot of algae.