Snails not coming out of shell?

rsanz

rsanz

The Peacock Gudgeon Guy
Aug 22, 2006
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I have two Pomacea Bridgesii snails in my fry tank. Neither of them come out of their shells, and have not moved for a couple of days. They are not dead, as when I poke them I can see their trap doors close tightly, then relax a few moments later. I also have a biggish Ramshorn that grazes and moves around the tank normally. The Brigs have been in the tank for about a week.

Why do they not come out and graze on the tank's algae/fry food? I even put in a blanched Zucchini and a blanched Spinach leaf, and neither coaxed them out of their shells.

Are they stressed? The water quality is fine:

0 Ammonia
0 Nitrite
10 Nitrate
7.6 pH

What is going on? Even at night when the light is out, they do not move. I'd really like them to start doing their jobs of cleaning/making infusoria in the fry tank. :(

Thanks!
 
There is no salt or meds, no. They've been in there for a week, and the temp. is 76F.

They will lay there with their trap doors slightly open, but as soon as I go to pick them up to sniff them for the death smell, they close up their doors. They are definitely still alive, but are not coming out to explore.
 
Anyone else got any ideas?

Thanks.
 
Maybe they're still just getting used to the new home? How mature is the tank?
 
I would be concerned if they are not coming out to eat. Do you have a breeder trap? Maybe put them in that with small amounts of food to make sure they ar eating. What temp is this tank?
 
Hey MisJ,

The tank is at 76 degrees. No, I don't have a breeder trap. This is driving me nuts! The water params are fine...
 
No one else has any insights? They stayed in their shells all day again today, even when I put in some fresh zucchini AND spinach leaves. :(

The ramshorn has been crawling around as usual.
 
I really don't know what is wrong. Have you tried any bottom feeder type pellets? I am concerned, got to say. Any chance they are being explored by the fish (I know its fry, but something isn't right)? Has the tank ever had meds used in it?
 
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