How Many Invert Deaths is "Normal"?

[dangles]

So I have a 50 gal tank that's been up and running for approx 6 months now. There's a healthy amount of surface algae on the rock work and I feed decently heavily. Over the past couple of months or so I've noticed more of my inverts dying off than I would think is normal. Certainly not all of them, but maybe 30-40%? It seems to be mostly my trochus, cerith, and astraea snails. My hermits, urchins, cleaner shrimp and tiger conches all seem to be doing fine.

Is the seemingly high die-off rate something I need to be concerned about? Or does that seem about normal? If not, what kinds of things should I check for?

Thanks!

 

[blaxsun]

I typically lose a few snails every month.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

same, I lose a couple snails every month, until I'm down to about 3-4 snails. Then once a year I go spend $50 to buy more, and it starts all over again.

 

[vetteguy53081]

So I have a 50 gal tank that's been up and running for approx 6 months now. There's a healthy amount of surface algae on the rock work and I feed decently heavily. Over the past couple of months or so I've noticed more of my inverts dying off than I would think is normal. Certainly not all of them, but maybe 30-40%? It seems to be mostly my trochus, cerith, and astraea snails. My hermits, urchins, cleaner shrimp and tiger conches all seem to be doing fine.

Is the seemingly high die-off rate something I need to be concerned about? Or does that seem about normal? If not, what kinds of things should I check for?

Thanks!

I dont lose many if any. Seems more tanks that are running the cooler temp range (76-78) and good calcium levels support snails better

 

[Kmst80]

I dont lose many if any. Seems more tanks that are running the cooler temp range (76-78) and good calcium levels support snails better

I run 24.5°C and have next to no casualties except of the odd hermit ripping a snail out of his house.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

Do you have any whelks in the tank?

 

[dangles]

Do you have any whelks in the tank?

Not that I'm aware of

 

[dangles]

I dont lose many if any. Seems more tanks that are running the cooler temp range (76-78) and good calcium levels support snails better

I keep my temp at 77 and my Ca has been running around 400 or so for the last few months

 

[Alexraptor]

I used to have problems loosing snails like mad, turned out I had an infestation of predatory worms.

Keep an eye out of dead/dying snails covered in thick mucus/snot, and be careful not to touch it with your bare hands.

 

[Hallowhead]

I lost way more in my bare bottom than sand substrate tank

 

[vetteguy53081]

I keep my temp at 77 and my Ca has been running around 400 or so for the last few months

other would be harrasment/predator fish, starvation (not enough food source) and type of snail as some when they fall cannot invert themselves and die

 

[Reefer Matt Verified Media Partner]

I go through about 300-400 snails a year. Every 2-3 months I get about 100 astreas or trochus. Not all of them die, but most do. The hermits find and eat them if flipped over. Even trochus snails. Just part of reefing maintenance for me.

 

[Andreas' Reef]

So I have a 50 gal tank that's been up and running for approx 6 months now. There's a healthy amount of surface algae on the rock work and I feed decently heavily. Over the past couple of months or so I've noticed more of my inverts dying off than I would think is normal. Certainly not all of them, but maybe 30-40%? It seems to be mostly my trochus, cerith, and astraea snails. My hermits, urchins, cleaner shrimp and tiger conches all seem to be doing fine.

Is the seemingly high die-off rate something I need to be concerned about? Or does that seem about normal? If not, what kinds of things should I check for?

Thanks!

Could possibly be the hermit crabs killing them for shells. Cerith and astrea are highly favoured by hermits

 

[Hallowhead]

I go through about 300-400 snails a year. Every 2-3 months I get about 100 astreas or trochus. Not all of them die, but most do. The hermits find and eat them if flipped over. Even trochus snails. Just part of reefing maintenance for me.

What size tank you cooking ? 5k

 

[Reefer Matt Verified Media Partner]

What size tank you cooking ? 5k

About 200 gallons between four tanks. I aim for one critter of cuc per gallon.

 

[blaxsun]

I dont lose many if any. Seems more tanks that are running the cooler temp range (76-78) and good calcium levels support snails better

I have good calcium levels but you may be on to something with the cooler temperatures (mine's in the 78.0-78.5° range).

 

[DanyL]

What tha..?!

In a well established tank and without hermit crab stealing events - maybe 1-2 a year?
* 200g in my case.

In a younger tank - I would consider 2-5 to be fine during the first year, most in the very few first months though.
* 90g in my case.

 

[Anemone_Fanatic]

The population will usually whittle down to what the ecosystem can support. For me, that's two shrimp, two conches, ~10~ trochus snails, a handful of unidentified carnivore snails, and a few emerald crabs. Once the ugly phase is over and there's less algae, you'll sometimes see a die off. 30 - 40% mortality seems high to me, but that could be the hermits killing snails.

 

[Nemo&Friends]

I do not loose many snails at all but I keep my temperature closer to 75F. I have one particular snail for quite a few years I think it is a turbo snail as it is larger than all my other snails,
I found Nassarius snails more difficult to keep, Lost several of them.

 

[McPuff]

Whoa, that does seem like a high loss rate. I'd say that I might lose a couple per year... though I don't have a ton in my 300. There are 3 very big turbos (baseballs) and maybe another dozen smaller ones. Some trochus as well but I doubt it's more than 10. And there are a few money cowries wandering around and I'll see them infrequently. Seems to be pretty well balanced. My guess is there are just too many and not enough food in your system (and other's from the sounds of it).