Turbo snail

chewy tabacca · Feb 4, 2018

I have a red legged crab that is looking for a new home, I obviously need to buy some shells, bit seen him attacking my turbo snail for who knows how long. I pulled them apart and put turbo on a shelf that my red legged can't reach him. Poked the turbo snail and he was hard, I don't know if he is dead or not, but do they regenerate/heal themselves?

chewy tabacca · Feb 4, 2018

chewy tabacca said:
I have a red legged crab that is looking for a new home, I obviously need to buy some shells, bit seen him attacking my turbo snail for who knows how long. I pulled them apart and put turbo on a shelf that my red legged can't reach him. Poked the turbo snail and he was hard, I don't know if he is dead or not, but do they regenerate/heal themselves?

My fiance is really worried about him lol

chewy tabacca · Feb 4, 2018

Here is a picture, he took a big beating and looks pretty tore up

EmdeReef · Feb 5, 2018

Gastropods do have a varying degree of regenerative abilities. It’s quite possible the crab didn’t even get to it as they can quite successfuly hide in their shells and use the foot for protection. If the crab reached internal organs then it’s likely dead.

You can generally tell by the smell or the loss of consistency in the mantle.

Also never discount the ability of crabs to reach “impossible places” especially if they sense food. My dogs woke me up more than once barking at a crab that managed to get out of a tank...

Johniejumbo · Feb 5, 2018

I have found if the snail is holding his foot in still it is probably alive. They are patient though and once harassed may stay holed up for a long time. I can’t tell from the pic if it is ok or no tho. Hope it pulls through for you!

chewy tabacca · Feb 5, 2018

EmdeReef said:
Gastropods do have a varying degree of regenerative abilities. It’s quite possible the crab didn’t even get to it as they can quite successfuly hide in their shells and use the foot for protection. If the crab reached internal organs then it’s likely dead.

You can generally tell by the smell or the loss of consistency in the mantle.

Also never discount the ability of crabs to reach “impossible places” especially if they sense food. My dogs woke me up more than once barking at a crab that managed to get out of a tank...

His foot seems calcified, I poked it, it was hard, but also jelly underneath, once I put him on the frag rock he released his 'foot'a bit, in the picture you can see some meat hanging off and some pretty fresh open wounds on him (pink skin) usually brown

Johniejumbo · Feb 5, 2018

Doesnt sound good ;Dead. Don’t jump the gun tho. I would wait a while and see. Crabs are mean. :mad::mad:

chewy tabacca · Feb 5, 2018

Johniejumbo said:
Doesnt sound good ;Dead. Don’t jump the gun tho. I would wait a while and see. Crabs are mean. :mad::mad:

Ya she just told me she doesn't like my crabs lol, he is going back to the LFS tomorrow

EmdeReef · Feb 5, 2018

As long as it’s moving it’s probbaly enough to pull through unless there are other stressors or further attacks.

Not to hate on crabs but it probably won’t give up once it got a taste and snails usually end up as escargot in tanks with crabs so you may have to choose between keeping one or the other. Good luck hope it pulls through

Missy Misdemeanor · Feb 5, 2018

Anyone want a red legged terrorist? That snail will be put in the sump for a chance to recover in peace.... Or at least die peacefully

EmdeReef · Feb 5, 2018

I have a hard time killing or getting rid of anything from my tank so have had 3 hermit crabs for over 6 years through 3 systems and they even survived several walks across my living room...

Fortunately, all I have these days are colonista snails so assume the crabs are keeping the numbers in check

but it’s annoying how so many sites advertise all sorts of crabs as completely Reef safe and even package sell with snails...

Johniejumbo · Feb 5, 2018

Missy Misdemeanor said:
Anyone want a red legged terrorist? That snail will be put in the sump for a chance to recover in peace.... Or at least die peacefully

;Hilarious Red legged terrorist

Thanks for that! Lol.
Really tho. I keep several snails and hermit crabs in my tank. I have about 2 dozen empty shells laying around and sometimes I still catch a dang crab shell jacking a poor snail.

chewy tabacca · Feb 5, 2018

He just made the long journey to the sump, I just went out and looked at him with a flash light, I seen his little antennas out and about so he may just make it.

The whole white and green calcium thing is just weird to me, maybe a defence mechanism. Either way the red leg is going back the blue legs can stay.

chewy tabacca · Feb 5, 2018

I got it figured out, that is his back, I pulled him out of the sump and put him back in the DT. Watched him flip this hard shell back and bring out his head

EmdeReef · Feb 5, 2018

looks ok

dutch27 · Feb 5, 2018

The white and green thing is called an operculum. It's basically a little door that they can close up the bottom of the shell with to protect themselves.