What's Wrong With This Snail?

henryhahn · Nov 16, 2016

I typically purchase a few snails at a time. Each time I have one that has a problem staying upright. They never seem to make it. This seems to be my newest problem. Picked up this margarita snail a few days ago, and it seems to be my problem. I find it upside down about 6 times a day. Each time, I try to place it in a different spot (sand, different rocks, etc.). This time I tried the glass. It pushed itself away from the glass and is not taking as best as I can see. Is there something I missed?

recess62 · Nov 16, 2016

I can't tell what type of snail. Some snails are not able to right themselves

mcarroll · Nov 16, 2016

It could be a lot of things, but more often than not in m y experience, it's starvation. Most big snails go that route.

Try Ceriths and Nerites

Lionfish Lair · Nov 16, 2016

Are you dosing mag and/or is that a margarita?

cloak · Nov 16, 2016

I'm always flipping my Margarita snails over it seems.

henryhahn · Nov 16, 2016

recess62 said:
I can't tell what type of snail. Some snails are not able to right themselves

Margarita

Lionfish Lair · Nov 16, 2016

They're a cooler water snail.

henryhahn · Nov 16, 2016

mcarroll said:
It could be a lot of things, but more often than not in m y experience, it's starvation. Most big snails go that route.

Try Ceriths and Nerites

Just got it, and there should be plenty in the tank for food. the other Margariata (same size) I bought is happily grazing.

Lionfish Lair · Nov 16, 2016

They have the ability to right themselves, so they should not require being turned over like the astraea.

Reefiness · Nov 16, 2016

try putting it up right so it can reach the sand and move around freely. Looks like there may be a bit too much space for the snail to reach the glass. Also as mentioned, margaritas are cooler water sails known to not do so well in the temps we keep out tanks at.

Lionfish Lair · Nov 16, 2016

How were they shipped? How did you acclimate?

AdamNC · Nov 16, 2016

Drop your temp to about 77 if you can. My Margarita Snails do the same thing if my temps go above 78.

Reefiness · Nov 16, 2016

also, the best snails ive found are the banded trochus snails. after discovering them, i dont guy anything else.

Acan Skywalker · Nov 17, 2016

What's tsarius, Cerith
2 more rows
What's the Best Snail for a Reef Tank? | Joe Jaworski's Weblog
https://joejaworski.wordpress.com/.../whats-the-best-snail-for-a-reef-tank/
s Nassarius, Cerith
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Lionfish Lair · Nov 17, 2016

The water temperature of one place I've collected them from is currently 65 degrees.

cloak · Nov 17, 2016

FWIW I've got a Margarita snail that's been with me for at least 6 months now. It gets pretty hot here in the summer and I have a 175 watt MH bulb over my 20 gallon tank so a temperature of 83, 84 degrees was the norm for a few months. The snail is still grazing away today.

Lionfish Lair · Nov 17, 2016

I've had them in my tank as well, yet they are still a cold water snail. Sometimes it causes enough stress when they are not acclimated properly to such a drastic change and/or that they can't handle too many other stressors. Your snails are having some issues as they have the ability to right themselves and should not require intervention.