Nassarius Snail Left its shell, Still alive

Nasabeau · Oct 30, 2020

Um.... so I may be new to salt water, but this seems wrong to me. I was watching my tank just after feeding, saw all three of my nassarius snails cruising around, and then one stopped, and just crawled out of his shell and left it behind. pictures attached. is this normal? I can't imagine it is. what causes this? can the snail regrow his shell or is he basically dead at this point

Jdubyo · Oct 30, 2020

From my understanding, snails are permanently attached to their shells from birth and without them will die soon after. As for what would have cause this, I do not know.

malacoda · Oct 31, 2020

Not really sure what would cause this to happen, but, whatever the reason, not much you can do other than to keep an eye on it and if it does die either remove it or leave in there for fish or other CUC to feed on.

Nasabeau · Oct 31, 2020

malacoda said:
Not really sure what would cause this to happen, but, whatever the reason, not much you can do other than to keep an eye on it and if it does die either remove it or leave in there for fish or other CUC to feed on.

I just tested the water yesterday and everything was fine... I definitely wouldn't want to put the bio load on my aquarium of leaving him in there, so he would def come out if he did die... will the shell regrow? is there a chance he survives, or is it more humane to take him out now and euthanize?

Edit: I'm slightly worried since my cleaner shrimp either died or molted a couple of days ago and I am worried there is something causing this in my tank

Nasabeau · Nov 1, 2020

update, it is still alive... I have no idea why, or how, but it is currently climbing the glass...

Nasabeau · Nov 6, 2020

Nasabeau said:
update, it is still alive... I have no idea why, or how, but it is currently climbing the glass...

This thing is starting to regrow a shell. are you all sure this is abnormal? my other two Nassarius Snails have disappeared... the other 4 snails are still fine, eating away... I am so lost now

plainjanesmith · Jan 6, 2024

Nasabeau said:
This thing is starting to regrow a shell. are you all sure this is abnormal? my other two Nassarius Snails have disappeared... the other 4 snails are still fine, eating away... I am so lost now

I randomly found this thread while looking for something else. I am hooked. What happened to the snail?!