Apple Snail Getting Nipped

redout

Registered Member
Jan 24, 2005
2
0
0
Canada
I have a 5gal tank that we recently changed from goldfish to tropical. We bought the snail at the same time as the goldfish and are happy to still have the snail.
We recently added: 3 neon tetras (2 have died), 1 dalmatian molly, 2 fancy guppies, and kept the snail (goldfish obvsiouly long gone). The fish appear healthy and active, eating and swimming. Snail behaviour appears as it has in past. All purchases have been from the LPS.
The problem is that at first the molly, and I noticed tonight one of the guppies, are nipping at the snail. At first we thought the fish were just nipping at algae growing on the snail. However, tonight I noticed the snail's longest antennae appear to have gotten shorter than I remember. I noticed the molly and a guppy apparently nipping at the snail's antennae on at least a couple different occasions.
This doesn't seem to be normal behaviour and of course I'm a little worried about the snail - we've become quite attached (hehe) to the little critter. Have I added fish that are incompatible with the apple snail or is this a "getting to know you" phase for the fish, or perhaps something completely different?

Thanks for your advice.
 
Your fish should be fine with the snail but like everything else with animals nothing is for sure. If they eat it so be it, enjoy your fish..... I wouldn't add anymore fish to that small of a tank either.
 
Ya I didn't really plan on losing the fish to keep the snail - heh - but I just felt bad for the poor guy getting pestered like that. It's just that I was worried the snail was getting actually eaten and I hadn't expected even the nipping from community fish (assumed of course that community meant non-aggressive).
And I hadn't planned on adding more fish than the 5 we have.

Thanks for your input.
 
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