whats killing my snails?

iceman0124

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Jul 8, 2009
Messages
151
Reaction score
0
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I'm losing snails and tiny hermits very quickly, for the snails I find the disc shaped covers usually all in the same corner of the tank, Mantis shrimp possibly? Larger hermits were fine but I didnt like them in the tank so I removed them, snails aint cheap when you have to replace them weekly....any ideas?

lights came on to this today

IMG_1746.jpg
 

bamachamp92

WIL E. COYOTE SUPERGENIUS
View Badges
Joined
Jan 20, 2008
Messages
1,458
Reaction score
6
Location
Soddy Daisy, TN.
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
could be a mantis, could be water parameters, or it could be the snails. Ive bought a lot of snails before and had a lot die. Some cant turn themselves over when they fall and hermits eat them.
 

gilmour01

Well-Known Member
View Badges
Joined
Jun 11, 2009
Messages
862
Reaction score
2
Location
fairfield, Pa
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
i had a nasty fireworm that was killing mine when i first started my reef. it usually left the shell covered in a mucus blob......quite disgusting. took me a year to catch and kill that foot long monster.
 
OP
OP
I

iceman0124

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Jul 8, 2009
Messages
151
Reaction score
0
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Only inverts by design were the 5 tiny hermits (pinky nails size) , pep shreimp, and 5 now 2 that I can tell astrea snails, fish are cherub angel, small maroon clown, watchmen goby and an outhouse cardinal. If something is eating them its a hitchiker I havent been able to spot, no popping sounds when the lights are off, no damage to the fish, i do have some very large bristle worms, the flat grey ones, but I've had many of those in the past that didnt bother a thing.

The snalis that stay on the glass or rear wall do fine, when they get on the rock work they usually dont last long.
 
Last edited:

TwistedTiger

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Aug 13, 2009
Messages
140
Reaction score
6
Location
Baton Rouge La.
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I have the same problem. I found a gorilla crab. I just can't catch him
Same problem here some yeas ago. It's amazing how large a crab can hide in a small crevice. A flashlight at night is your best chance of finding a hitch hiker dining on your snails. If it is indeed a hitch hiker of some sort.
 

Pizzapro83

Well-Known Member
View Badges
Joined
Apr 13, 2009
Messages
714
Reaction score
5
Location
Lockport NY
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Same problem here some yeas ago. It's amazing how large a crab can hide in a small crevice. A flashlight at night is your best chance of finding a hitch hiker dining on your snails. If it is indeed a hitch hiker of some sort.
They do get big fast. Its crazy how they hide so good
 

colbrunn123

Community Member
View Badges
Joined
Sep 19, 2009
Messages
67
Reaction score
0
Location
Girard,Ohio
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Make a bottle trap and put it up to the rock work and put some meaty food in side.I have caught a few crabs that way.
 
OP
OP
I

iceman0124

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Jul 8, 2009
Messages
151
Reaction score
0
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I've used bottle traps with sucess in the past, though I have very little room in my nano.
 
OP
OP
I

iceman0124

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Jul 8, 2009
Messages
151
Reaction score
0
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Finally got proof, snails and crabs have been fine the last few weeks, and found this tonight by my pistols latest construction project.

IMG_1905.jpg


Thats a big butt claw and pretty sure its not a molt, I'm pretty happy I got the shrimp, though it is a pain about coals near the substrate, they either get moved or buried...still a neat critter though.
 

Harry_Y

Valuable Member
View Badges
Joined
Aug 30, 2009
Messages
1,084
Reaction score
206
Location
Liverpool, NY
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I had a sally lightfoot crab cause a lot of damage until I got it out.

Just so no to crabs, they are to destructive.
 
Back
Top