Upside down trochus snail

[kvinnyy]

Hi all,

One of my trochus snail keeps flipping over and I can't figure out the cause. The other snails don't have that problem and I would have to flip it back everyday.

I have not seen the fish bothering it, they just swim by it and inspect but don't actually peck at the snail. The fleshy part of the snail is not tucked away hiding inside the shell so I don't think it's the fish trying to eat it. I have a six line wrasse and 2 clowns.

Could it be the snail is getting too old? It's the size of a golf ball. What do you all think?

 

[ROB2005]

Is he on glass or on the sand when you noticed him on his back? Any hermit crabs in your tank?

 

[HuduVudu]

IME this is a sign of low iron. They need it to have a healthy foot that will stay attached.

 

[kvinnyy]

Is he on glass or on the sand when you noticed him on his back? Any hermit crabs in your tank?

On the sand upside down. Sometimes it gets stuck on a rock and lands vertical but the foot is not attached to anything.

 

[kvinnyy]

IME this is a sign of low iron. They need it to have a healthy foot that will stay attached.

So I'll have to feed it foods that contain iron?

 

[HuduVudu]

So I'll have to feed it foods that contain iron?

I suggest that you dose it.

It is going to be a tight rope because iron promotes plant growth. So, not too much and not too little.

 

[DeepintheReef]

A good trace element additive or something like all-for-reef would be a good addition to your maintenance. Are you dosing any chemicals currently and what is your water change schedule?