Snails dying for unknown reason.

[Gary S]

So basically over the last 2 weeks about 5 trochus snails have died for an unknown cause. I've had a bad algae problem for months now, forgot what's called (like dino but not). Params are all normal (nitrates high, but not dangerously high (35-40ppm), and I've been doing changes and prime to keep them at bay until the algae dies back.

The snails seem to get lethargic, really slow and weak (can't stick to glass even when placed on side). Anybody have an idea!?

 

[James M]

How are you acclimating then

 

[Flippers4pups]

So basically over the last 2 weeks about 5 trochus snails have died for an unknown cause. I've had a bad algae problem for months now, forgot what's called (like dino but not). Params are all normal (nitrates high, but not dangerously high (35-40ppm), and I've been doing changes and prime to keep them at bay until the algae dies back.

The snails seem to get lethargic, really slow and weak (can't stick to glass even when placed on side). Anybody have an idea!?

How old is your tank?

 

[cracker]

I'm having the same issue. However I'm pretty sure I know why. So how long these snails been in he tank? Also query's above?

 

[Gary S]

The snails are a week old, and I drip acclimate them. The yank is 1.5 yrs old

 

[Flippers4pups]

Though we can't tell at the time of purchase how old these snails are, they do have a short life span. Any predators of snails in your tank?

 

[Gary S]

Not that I'm aware of. Unless it's a worm or parasite...

 

[Flippers4pups]

Are you just seeing empty shells?

 

[Gary S]

Are you just seeing empty shells?

No I'm watching them slowly decline until they die and hermits start picking at their flesh

 

[Gareth elliott]

If have any living snails can look for snail pests around the rim. Small white cone shaped snails is what i would look for first if nothing shouts out in water chemistry.

Also after hermits get full size you lose more snails, at least i have this experience, there is a blue leg in a one inch trochus shell right now in my tank.

 

[Gary S]

Forgot something super important! I've been doing H202 to kill back the algae, at 3ml for the whole tank which is 11. Nothing but the algae seems affected. None of my corals retract when I do this.

 

[Aquatalk]

I'm having the same problem. My circumstances are a little different though. I have a one month old 25 gallon. The cycle went well followed by a small diatom bloom. I put 7 trochus and 7 blue leg crabs. Crabs are great but a few snails have bit the dust. I didn't drip acclimate. I just floated them for 15 and then put them all in the tank. That been a little over a week ago. One didn't make it long at all (maybe two days). The other one that died (the bigger one) just stayed in one spot on the glass for a couple days and then I found him laying on the sand bed dead this morning. Any ideas?

 

[DenverSaltyFarm]

I know that if magnesium is too high snails pretty much stop moving and die off so a good thing to check. Also is the algae in your tank Dino’s? Dino’s can be very toxic to a clean up crew