Hatching briggs?

[Sarahann31190]

So I went to change a light bulb in my 10 gallon tank. On the underneath of the lid there was a clutch! I was in shock!! I had been trying to keep an eye on the tank to see if they would because I knew I had one male in there. Still not sure on who the mom was. But the thing is it was very dried up. I don't think they made it... It looked like some had hatched out but I think they were completely dried up. I had no idea what to do so I took the whole thing off and put it in a cup of water.

Now from now on i'll be checking the lid daily. But in case I find another clutch. What should I do from now on?

[Bubbles2112]

If you don't want any to hatch out you should remove the egg clutch and place it in the freezer for three days and then throw it out.

[Sarahann31190]

I would like to hatch at least one clutch, to just have the experience once.

So how would I go about trying to hatch them once I find another clutch?

[Bubbles2112]

You would just leave it alone. The snails will lay the egg clutches in the best spots above the water line where they will hatch out if left alone and if they are fertile.

[Sarahann31190]

How come they dried up this time?

[Reframer]

They get a little crispy on the outside. Don't put them in water, the babies will drown.

[snoopy65]

Females will sometimes lay clutches that are duds. Leave the clutch be and if it doesn't hatch in 3 weeks or so, moisten it and then gently crush it over the tank. If there are baby snails in it they will hit the water and be fine. If it is a dud, it will just turn into dust and goo. Most clutches hatch with in 9 to 14 days. Understand that if you let a clutch hatch, you could be looking at 50-200 baby snails. You need to have plans for those snails before you allow a clutch to hatch.

[Sarahann31190]

Thanks snoopy!
I was staring at the tank for a while, as I'm in the process of changing the white sand to black gravel, so there's nothing but all the critters in the tank. When I noticed on the sides of the tank there were a couple tiny tiny snails, seeing the coloring and shape I knew they weren't pond, mts, or ramshorns. So I guess some of them did make it to the water! I have a lfs that would be willing to take what I cannot keep. Would it matter if I took the babies out and put them in their own tank or left them in the tank? Is there a possibility that they would get eaten?

[snoopy65]

They will do better in their own tank. More for food competition than being eaten. I and MsJ both usually put them in a breeder trap inside the main tank just to make sure they get enough to eat.