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FAQs about Marine Snail Disease/Health

Related Articles: Gastropods, Sea Slugs, Mollusks, Abalone, 

Related FAQs: Marine Snails 1, Marine Snails 2, Marine Snails 3, Snail ID 1, Snail ID 2, Snail Behavior, Snail Selection, Snail Compatibility, Snail Systems, Snail Feeding, Snail Reproduction, Mollusks, Sea Slugs, Abalone, 

Re: Some Inputs on Dying Snails Query  12/30/06
Hi everyone!
I just want to comment on the problem of the dying snails (original query attached below).  I had this problem before in my fully stocked reef tank, everything was ok, except for the gastropods, who seemed to lose grip and balance, fall down to the gravel, unable to right themselves and dying after a few days.  
I teach undergraduate invertebrate zoology, and I soon made a connection between one additive and the gastropod deaths: Magnesium sulfate and Magnesium chloride.  In the lab, either of these compounds is used to slowly anesthetize and 'relax' aquatic invertebrates to allow for easy dissection.  In my case, magnesium overdose was traced to the poor quality sea salt I was using at the time ( I know better now). I shifted to natural seawater for a time, and then used a quality sea salt, and my snail problems have stopped. Magnesium toxicity may also be brought about by dosing (or overdosing) on magnesium supplements.  It just may be that certain gastropods are more sensitive to this compound, become anesthetized, and become so relaxed that they asphyxiate, or otherwise become vulnerable to predators in the tank. I never did any full scale experimentation to prove or isolate Magnesium as the culprit, all I'm saying that it's worth looking into.
Hope this little info helps!
Best regards,
Richard (Manila, Philippines)
<Thank you for this. BobF>

Substrate fears and missing Ceriths   2/26/08
Hi: I'm fairly recent to the hobby, but I've read and read the FAQs on WWM, which are a great resource! Now I have a problem I'm not sure is general enough that it's been answered before
For setup, I have a 55 gal system with an overflow into about a 15 gal, 3 chambered sump with a too-tiny wet/dry (which I am slowly removing in favor of a filter sock setup which I will change out every other day or so) and a 6 gal remote deep sand bed (just plain sand in a dark bucket fed with a powerhead from the sump and draining back into the sump). The system is 3 months old in the sense that that's how long I've had it running in my house, but it's actually more of a "moved" system, since I got it from someone leaving the hobby who had had it up for about 2 years previous. We removed the remaining livestock (clownfish, a single Astrea/Trochus snail (I still can't always tell which is which) and some hermits), drained most of the water, wrapped the LR in wet newspaper, and then refilled the tank in its new location with fresh mixed water (Instant Ocean). After a very short cycle and some waiting ( I expected the system to be much more unstable, but I guess since it was an old system there was still plenty of living bacteria in the rocks and sand), we eventually removed the homeless livestock back in. All did well. Since cycling, my readings have been all 0 throughout except for a nitrate level that hovers around 15-20.
<This will largely go w/ the removal of the wet-dry media>
Alk 300, ph 8.2-8.4.
I haven't really measured calcium since I don't have any coral yet.
Coralline seems to be growing fine. I have a protein skimmer (sea clone, yuck, but fiddling with it all the time, while annoying, seems to at least get it pulling skimmate out steadily), PC lights with actinics and moonlights, and two Koralia circulation fans that keep things moving and suspended. Not sure what else is relevant.
<So far, me neither>
My return pump is 700pgh which goes into a rectangle pvc rim at the top of the tank with several holes drilled in it, and the fans rate at 800gph and 400 gph.
I don't know the poundage of LR, but however much it is, it seems like a bit too much for the tank: not enough open sand for my liking, and hard to get the fans arranged without dead spots or building hills and valleys in the substrate over time.
<Take some out... put it in the sump>
I've been thinking about selling away a piece or two.
I do water changes about once a week, usually 10gal each time (hoping to lower my nitrates),
<Mmm, will only help nominally/proportionately... temporarily>
though I've been cutting back to 5 gal done more often. I've been using AmQuel+ treated tap water (uk: maybe this is my problem!), but I recently invested in an RO/DI that's putting out 0 TDS, 0 chlorine, 0 anything else I've been able to test, as advertised. For too long I was also using treated tap water for evap top off, but I figure that this is really bad, because, as I realized, benign or no, those chemicals and their bonded bad stuffs can only increase in concentration over time that way.
<Mmm, could be bio-accumulated...>
Hopefully I've switched soon enough to avoid any serious problem, and my steady 5 gal changes should hopefully dilute, dilute, dilute anything that's built up in the water column (hopefully this stuff doesn't live forever in the rocks and glass).
<Nothing, nothing... nothing lasts forever>
The substrate is a coarse grain aragonite, though rounded and not sharp, and fairly shallow (an inch or two).
The substrate is my major concern however. It is, obviously, old substrate from the previous setup. I have no idea what's lurking down in it in the way of nutrients. One of my big regrets in setting up this system the way I did was not simply replacing the substrate entirely and starting from scratch (I guess we didn't want to wait anymore and let more of the LR die off at the time). I know you can always replace it, but that seems very daunting and dangerous in and of itself.
<Nah>
And I fear that it's been killing Cerith snails. Over the two months, I've gradually added several Nassarius snails, two small Turbos, one large turbo, and two Ceriths.
<Why? I mean, towards what ends the gastropods?>
My acclimation process is to float their bag in dark of the sump for temperature and drip acclimate, usually for 3 hours or so, before adding them to the display. All have, as far as I can tell, thrived:
they are active and eating well, cleaning glass of both film and even thicker fuzzy green algae in the case of the larger turbo. The two Ceriths, however, moved very little at first, and then died within days (confirmed by smell and not either closing up or coming out). I wasn't sure why, when everything else seemed fine.
<Could be a few things... posted>
One of the Nassarius, after more than a month in the tank, seemed to become weak, hang out on the glass (is that a diagnosable behavior?),
<As itself, no>
and seemed to have a little white pus on its underside shell next to its foot (though this could have just been muck from burrowing: hard to tell). It finally was moving enough to turn itself over, but it wouldn't move to take nearby food (a skewered piece of shrimp dipped in on a plastic stick: the other snails swarmed it and sucked it apart). The next day, its shell was empty... except for a small bristleworm cleaning things up. I wish there were better resources for diagnosing snail illness: I enjoy them more than fish, but there seems to be little out there on diseases or common problems:
people treat them like disposable "clean up crews" instead of critters.
The next sign of trouble was the recent addition of four Cerith snails (each about an inch from head to tip, and a different species than before: the first two were darker and fatter shells, these were long and rocky gray), three weeks ago. Or rather, there were no signs of trouble that I could see... After acclimation, they quickly burrowed into the substrate. I checked every night with a red LED (small bike lights work great!)
<Neat tool application>
to see them come out: I like to get an eyeball on every major creature in my tank at least once a day to see how its doing. They seemed fine: I couldn't always find all four, but with all the LR I have and the many spaces in the back where there is sand I can't see, that wasn't surprising. They would come out of the sand about an hour after dark, eating at the bottoms of the LR, climbing on it, and once or twice climbing the glass. All were eating and strong enough to stick to the glass even in areas where my circulation fans had strong reflected current. But after a few days there were fewer and fewer sightings, though when I did see one, it seemed fine. In the last two weeks though, I haven't seen any, despite checking at all hours of the night and day (literally). Someone on a message board suggested dropping a sinkable veg pellet in at night, said that their Ceriths would come out and swarm such a thing. Well, my Nassarius went crazy, but no sign of the Ceriths. I've also watched the substrate carefully for any "tracks" that suggest that I was somehow missing them. Nothing: no visible evidence of them coming and out. At this point I'm working under the assumption that they are dead.
<I wouldn't be so sure>
Which is a problem. What could kill all four of one kind of snail in a tank where everything else seems happy?
<... Please read here: http://wetwebmedia.com/snaildisfaqs.htm
and the linked files... Could be a chemical imbalance (very common), predator (a bit less common)...>
Why wouldn't other snails die or show illness as well?
<More tolerant of the root cause/s of mortality...>
The Ceriths burrow far deeper into my substrate than the nas snails (most of which seem to have mostly given up complete submersion), and I'm really worried that what killed them was something toxic down there. I'd like to find their bodies to confirm (and also, if they are dead, to at least have the shells for hermits to try on) that they are dead and maybe some insight into how, but I'm loathe to go poking around in the substrate for fear of stirring up whatever might have killed them. I do have small hermits, but I figure that if they killed them (and they haven't bothered any other snails) that they'd either be wearing their shells already, or at least that the remaining bodies would be above ground rather than nowhere to be found.
So now I'm quite worried: worried that I have killer substrate, but having no idea how to confirm it, or what to do about it. There's no "rotten egg" smell I can discern or any other obvious sign. I lightly siphon above substrate to remove debris (some of which is odd: long before the Ceriths I get little discrete piles of fine beige grains, much lighter than diatoms:
piles of copepod molts maybe)? And nothing else seems to be in distress.
The hermits have been reproducing (shaking what look like live bees off their back), which the clown always quite enjoys, nas seem to periodically lay their doomed eggs on the glass, which pods probably enjoy, there are red hair worms living in the sand, small bristleworms that come out at night, some peanut worms (maybe? All I ever see are strange pale tubes coming out of sand/rock that seem to suck up bits of things and then you can see it traveling slowly down their length), and for a time even a huge spaghetti worm (with tentacles up to a foot long: this has, much to my disappointment, either since moved out of obvious sight or died).
I suppose I could have gotten snails that were all four somehow damaged the same way, or did something wrong acclimating them.
<Happens>
But there didn't seem to be any problems I could diagnose, and these are the second set of Ceriths (though not the same species) to either die or vanish. Is there something I'm missing about keeping this animal? What should I do to find out what happened to them? Are there any husbandry things I can do, or things I can test or check to find out if I'm at fault?
<I would "take a chill pill" here... Not worry, not replace this genus/snail...>
I know I went on and on, but you said to be detailed, and I hope I was
detailed enough. Thanks for any help.
<Enjoy the reading, your system. I might add/switch out some of the old substrate... as recounted on WWM. Bob Fenner>

Turbo spp snails  12/23/07
Hi, I have a 55 gallon salt water tank that I just recently replaced with a new one. (the other on was over 15 years old and looking old). We also moved to a new address so I thought it would be a good time to change the tank.
When I planned the move, I bottled reverse Osmosis water and also bottled the actual water from the other tank. I did not add anything new or different. I still had the same live rock, snails, fish, substrate. I did and an undergravel filter which is in addition to the top filter I was using. I moved them and they were only in a bucket for about 2 hours.
It has been about two weeks and all my fish survived as well as the smaller Astrea spp. (I think) have all survived, but within just 3-5 days I have 3 maybe 4 of my Turbo spp snails are dying. I don't know what I did, I would have thought the fish would show the first signs but they are fine. The snails are about 1 years old and I got them at the same time. Is that just their life span or is something wrong?
Thank you,
Linda
<Mmm, might be just coincidence... if the Astrea survived... the Turbos should have also. Bob Fenner>

SW Snail Problems... plus    11/30/07
Hello!
<Hi there>
I've been reading the articles about snail death and cannot seem to find an article that sounds exactly like my problem. I have a 10 gallon tank with 10 lbs of live rock that has been set up for about three and a half weeks now. Every single snail that I have purchased has died within a few days of introducing to the tank. At first, I thought it was an ornery yellow-tail damsel
<Needs more room than this...>
knocking them off the side of the tank and then nibbling on them (I have since gotten rid of him). I bought one Mexican turbo snail and was advised by my dealer to acclimate him over a half hour, and did so. He was dead within two days. We tested the water which yielded the following results:
alkalinity=9
<What units?>
pH=8.2
calcium=420
<Magnesium?>
nitrates=10
nitrites=0
water temperature=75-77 degrees
other critters in the tank:
6 crabs
1 tomato clown
1 watermelon wrasse
1 sand-sifting goby
<... none of these fishes can live well or long in this volume>
1 cleaner shrimp
all doing wonderfully!
<Uh, no>
My dealer has told me that because my tank is so new and has natural ocean water, I should not have a magnesium problem.
<I would not be... am not... so sure>
We are both stumped! Any ideas as to what I should next? Any advice would be greatly appreciated, thanks!
All the best,
Meg
<Please read here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/snaildisfaqs.htm
and the linked files above... AND on WWM re the Systems needs of the other life you list. You need to return the fishes, or get a much larger system... Bob Fenner>

Snails Dying... Check Magnesium and Calcium Levels  10/20/07
Hello Bob,
<Nope, you have Mich tonight.>
I have run into a little problem with my 90 gallons reef. For some unknown reason, Astraea Snails and Margarita Snails have been dropping like flies lately...literally. They seem to lose grip of the surface and I often find them upside down on the sand. If/when I do see them, I flip them right side up but they eventually pass within days. I've lost about 15 or so snails so far, did everything from water changes to picking off the pyramidellid snails. Salinity remains stable around 1.025 to 1.026.
<I would check your magnesium and calcium levels.>
I have noticed parasitic snails on them lately. I pick off as much as I can but am not sure if this is the root cause.
<Well certainly isn't helping!>
My water parameters seem fine (or so the test kits say) with no traceable levels of ammonia, nitrite, and about 0.5 ppm of nitrate.
<There are other important parameters.>
I do use RO/DI water and the cartridges are changed below manufacturer's recommendations, except this time the carbon cartridge may have been a bit overused.
<OK.>
The tank is LPS dominant (very healthy with Xenia Elongata growing like crazy) with 6 Chromis, 2 small Hippo Tangs, 1 Yellow Tang and a Pseudochromis as the only other occupants in the tank besides the corals. I should also mention Mithrax crabs never seem to last long in this tank.
Any recommendations?
<Yes! In my opinion you have too many tangs on too small a tank for this to last any period of time.>
Is this due to the parasitic snails, high chlorine levels due to the carbon cartridge?
<Chlorine will be detrimental to your system.>
Although snails are not relatively expensive, I hate kill any species of marine life.
<How does one place a monetary value on a life?>
I wouldn't want to buy more snails until I find the cause of this. Any suggestions?
<Yes, though I don't know this for sure, I suspect that this behavior may be associated with elevated levels of magnesium or a magnesium/calcium imbalance. Magnesium is the second most plentiful cation (positively charged ion) and the third most common element in seawater. In plants an imbalance yields a reduction in photosynthesis. In animals magnesium serves an important role in neurochemical transmission and muscular excitability. In humans magnesium salts are often employed a sedatives. Magnesium sulfate for example is employed to reduce the risk of seizures acting to a degree as a muscle relaxant as well. Magnesium Sulfate comes with a risk of circulatory collapse, and the depression of both the cardiac and central nervous systems. In a hospital setting, when magnesium sulfate is given intravenously to a patient the antidote, calcium is kept at the bedside. Elevated magnesium levels are reduced by calcium. So checking your magnesium and calcium levels would be a good place to start.>
Thank you!
<Welcome! Mich>

Re: Snails Dying... Check Magnesium and Calcium Levels   10/22/07
Thanks for your quick and detailed response Mich!
<Oh, you're welcome! Hope it wasn't too much "theory". Sometimes I get on a roll and don't know when to stop! Heehee!>
What you said does make sense, something I never would've thought of, that's why you guys are the experts.
<Heeee! Some more than others... I'd tend to fall more so in the "others" category, but help out where I can!>
I've been using a two part calcium supplement called C-Balance.
<OK.>
Is it necessary to add calcium only supplements from time to time?
<There are a lot of variables here. Some never add calcium because of frequent water changes and low Calcium loads, others continually drip Kalk. So no "right" answer here... other than all depends.>
It seems if calcium begins to drop, it may be depleted more easily than magnesium therefore causing the imbalance.
<This could be. Would be interesting to study. Mich>

Dead snails 10/16/07
Hello fellow fish lovers,
Fist some stats. I have a 55g FOWLR. SKIMMER, FLUVAL 305 CANISTER.
SP.GR. 1.026-CAL 400-PHOSP..015-ALK 275PPM-PH 8.3-AMMO. 0.0-SAME FOR
NITRITE AND NITRATE. The big question is why are my turbo snails dying???? I bring them home and acclimate them for about an hour and then put them in the QT. Within a day or two they go to the big snail shell in the sky. Have had the tank running for about four months and this is the first s.w. tank I have done.
<Are those parameters those of the QT tank or the display tank? are the two the same?>
Please help.
<Best,
Sara M.>

Re: Dead snails... and more  10/16/07
I try very hard to keep both tanks with the same parameters. This morning my chocolate tank was dead.
<Chocolate tank?! Now there's an idea! j/k I assume you meant chocolate tang. Sorry for your loss. Just from what you've told me, I don't know why it would die.>
I did a complete water test this morning. The only difference was the phos. Was .010 and the alk was 270. This is on the display tank.
<Hmm, snails can be VERY sensitive to salinity, pH and temperature changes. I know you said you acclimated them over an hour, but this might not have been enough. I would try acclimating them in a different way. Take them out of the bag water when you get home and put them in a bowl on top of a paper towel soaked in QT tank water. (Don't make a puddle. The paper towel shouldn't drip). Make sure they retreat completely back into their shells before you put them in the bowl. This squeezes most the water out of them. After you set them on the paper towel in the bowl, wait till they start to come out and move around looking for water. Then put a small amount of QT water in the bowl (not enough to cover them). When they start moving again, add a little more water... and so on and so forth until they're submerged. This allows the snails to have some control over the pace of their own acclimation. Another option is to, instead of putting them in a bowl, stick them to the rim (space permitting) of the aquarium (above the water level) and let them crawl in when they feel like it (this is risky though because they might fall in before they're ready).
Good luck,
Sara M.> <<Sara... refer... to WWM... Snail hlth. RMF>>

Marine Start Up/Snails Belly Up 9/15/07
Hi
<Hi Carroll>
I have read a lot on your site before I set up my tank. I wish I would have read the part about hermit crabs before I bought them though. This is a FOWLR tank
I have a 29 gallon tank with 3-4 inches of live sand substrate and 13 lbs of live rock cured before I put in my tank. I have a biological wheel that is supposed to handle up to 55 gallon tank. My set up is three weeks old. The live rock had been by itself for a week and half and appears in the last few days to have a rusty brown color to the rock.
<Possibly diatoms, usually happens in new systems.>
It has not discolored sand or made the tank cloudy.
I purchased two turbo snails and 3 smaller snails and 5 hermit crabs to start the cleaner part of the system, no fish in the tank yet. The hermit crabs seem fine but all 5 of the snails have not moved in two days period.
The hermits were stuck to a couple of the snails when in the bag.
Water temp is about 77.8. Salinity is 1.022. Nitrate 20 Nitrite has gone up since I put the critters in. Alkalinity about 160, pH acceptable after adding marine calcium 1/2 cap.
What is wrong with this tank? The snails died right away but the fish store said my water levels were good.
<Snails are much more sensitive to ammonia spikes than hermit crabs. Since your tank was in it's cycling stage, I'm guessing ammonia levels were high at the time and caused the death. If your hermit crabs are large, and I'm thinking not, they may have contributed to the loss of your snails.>
Thanks for the help. This is a very tough new hobby.!
<You're welcome. James (Salty Dog)>
Carroll

Any idea what kind of snails these are and are they truly parasitic? – 6/19/07
M
Parasitic snails stuck to Marine Turbo 12/3/03
I've attached a photo of one of my snails against the Plexiglas. A couple of these snails ( Turbo ? ) have tiny shells attached to their shells.
Could these be yet another type of snail living on my snail.
<arghh... these are parasitic snails preying on your larger Gastropods>
I doubt that these snails have enough maternal instinct to carry there young around. I am so confused.
<they are clearly parasitic to me. Manually remove the small snails when you see them with tweezers. They will wane in time>
Thanks, Edward.
<best regards, Anthony>

>B
>Any idea what kind of snails these are and are they truly parasitic?
>M
><Yes and yes. B>
Care to share the name? These are not Pyramidelline are they?
<Might be>
I realize pyrams are parasitic on clams. But I didn't think on snails.
What snail is parasitic on other snails? M
<There are MANY! If the gods had particular favoritism for coleopterans (Beetles) and the poor (cuz they made so many of them), they left a little
oomph for the gastropods as well... Read on! BobF>

Snail Issues... hlth... env.   6/20/07
Hi,
<Hello Emily, Mich here.>
Thank you in advance for your help.
<You are most welcome!>
All but two of my Astria <Astraea> Snails have died in my 90 gallon reef tank. I have a stable system, I test (nitrates, ph, salinity, etc: all ideal)
<Vague.>
and do water changes weekly.
<Very good.>
Everything is thriving, but about a month ago I started finding snails down at the bottom of the glass, barely hanging on, like they were very weak. They would remain like this for a couple of days, until they died.
<Something may be off in your water chemistry. I would start of with checking you Magnesium/Calcium levels. In humans, Magnesium compounds are used as central nervous system depressants, which reduce muscular excitability. I suspect it has a similar consequence in snails and perhaps this is what you have witnessed. More here:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/snaildisfaqs.htm >
When I looked closer there were these tiny little snails (white, long, skinny, pointy) sometimes 20 or 30 up under their shells just hanging on. Can you tell me what they are, and if they are killing my snails?
<Many possibilities, and yes I have it on good authority that they could be parasitic. More here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/snaildisfaqs.htm >
And if so, how can I get rid of them?
<Tedious manual removal.>
This may or may not be related, but I had six very small emerald crabs, and they all died within a couple of days at the same time my snails started dying.
<May or may not be related.>
I was in my tank, three or four times a day pulling out something dead out.
<Ugh... Not a good feeling. I'm sorry for all your losses.>
I need to replenish the snails, but do not wish for them to suffer the same fate.
<I would hope off on replacement, until issue can be further resolved.>
Thanks again,
<Welcome! Mich>
Emily

Snail Problem... Not a Problem  6/10/07
Hey WWM Crew,
<Hi Matthew, Mich here.>
Be forewarned I’m new at this.
<Ok!>
But I’ve been doing lots of reading on your site and I’m sure I’ve avoided several disasters already.
<Excellent!>
My tank’s been up and running for several months now and today I noticed something is wrong with my snail. See attached photo.
<I see.>
It looks like it’s shriveling up…? Been looking all over the site and can’t figure it out.
<Mmm, don't think there is anything to worry about here, looks to me like your snail is expelling some waste.>
Added a new fish (Yellow Watchman Goby) 3 days ago. So Nitrite = 0 Nitrate 30
<Your Nitrate is getting high, keep an eye on this, and I would consider doing a water change soon.>
It’s a 40 tall tank with
1 Cleaner shrimp
1 clown fish
And a snail/hermit crab clean up crew
Help! Matthew
<No worries Matthew. Just watch your nitrate levels, and keep reading and learning! Mich>

Re: Snail Problem… Not a Problem… No, is a Problem… – 06/11/07
Hey,
<Hello again Matthew, Mich here.>
Thanks for responding so quickly.
<You're welcome!>
Unfortunately the snail is now dead.
<Oh no!>
I seem to have trouble keeping these guys alive. I bought several from my LFS as part of a clean up crew and all have died. My other type of snail (Nassarius distortus or something similar) are all fine, and the hermit crabs are fine. The LFS wrote it off with a shrug but I don’t like my tank being a snail graveyard.
<Me neither!>
So question one, what the heck is going on?
<Mmm, many possibilities here... old age, environmental factors, illness, starvation, predation...>
Two, should I replace them?
<I would do some water testing before considering replacement. Maybe you should avoid this species in this particular tank.>
I have a 40 Tall Eclipse, FOWLR.
The tank is fairly new, so far,
5 Nassarius distortus
1 red leg hermit
6 Calcinus laevimanus or similar
1 cleaner shrimp
1 clownfish
1 yellow watchman goby
Any and all thoughts would be greatly appreciated,
<Perhaps something out of whack with you Magnesium/Calcium balance. Did the snail become lethargic and have a difficult time sticking to the side of your tank? We get queries every once in a while about snails that will not stick to the glass. I suspect this may be related to an elevated magnesium level. In humans, some Magnesium compounds are used as anticonvulsants and play an important role in neurotransmission and muscular excitability. I am not certain that the two are related but I have my suspicions. That's about all I can offer. I'm sorry for you loss. Mich.>
Matthew

Re: Snail Problem – 06/11/07
Hey Mich,
<Hi there Matthew!>
Thanks for all your help,
<Welcome!>
Thanks for the thoughts on Magnesium, I’ve since done a WWM search for magnesium with snails and done lots of reading. In one of the emails you responded to it was stated that “a magnesium overdose was traced to the poor quality sea salt”
<Hmm, really? Doesn't sound like me. It would be unusual for me to make this type of statement with such certitude.>
I’m using “Instant Ocean” and I just ran out today. Is this brand okay or should I be trying to get something else?
<I'll quote fellow crew member Jorie here... "If Instant Ocean is good enough for the Shedd Aquarium, then it's good enough for me." This product is generally well regarded.>
The snails did seem lethargic and near the end have a difficult time sticking to the side of the tank. At first the part that sticks was white then over a day or two it became a light brown, then they started falling off and dieing.
<Sounds familiar.>
To have an efficient tank do I need to get something else to replace the dead snails? If so with what? More crabs? Shrimp? Snails? If so what kind?
<I believe this was a Turbo snail, which typically grazes on diatoms and microalgae. Astraea snails would have a similar diet. Shrimp are generally scavengers and will not fit the same role and I personally, would avoid the crabs.
Hope this helps, Mich>

Re: Snail Problem… Not a Problem… No, is a Problem… – 06/11/07
sorry hit enter,
<No worries... I just accidentally hit send without writing a reply! Oops!>
one last thought, could it be starvation?
<Oh! Yes, absolutely. Is a common cause of snail death.>
I don't have any visible form of algae and never have...
<This is also a possible explanation. I wouldn't be too quick to replace this snail if you don't have much algae growth.>
Thanks again,
<You are quite welcome! Mich>
~Matthew

Re: Snail Problem p.s.… Not a Problem… No, is a Problem…   6/13/07
Sorry Mich, I was unclear.
<No worries Matt!>
I wasn't you that made the statement it was the person who's email you were responding to. (see below)
<Ah, yes. I see. Thanks! Hee! I didn't think it sounded like me!>
Thanks for all your help. Matt
<You are very welcome! Tis a pleasure to be able to help. Good luck to you, my friend! Mich>
Re: Some Inputs on Dying Snails Query 12/30/06
Hi everyone!
I just want to comment on the problem of the dying snails (original query attached below). I had this problem before in my fully stocked reef tank, everything was ok, except for the gastropods, who seemed to lose grip and balance, fall down to the gravel, unable to right themselves and dying after a few days.
I teach undergraduate invertebrate zoology, and I soon made a connection between one additive and the gastropod deaths: Magnesium sulfate and Magnesium chloride. In the lab, either of these compounds is used to slowly anesthetize and 'relax' aquatic invertebrates to allow for easy dissection. In my case, magnesium overdose was traced to the poor quality sea salt I was using at the time ( I know better now). I shifted to natural seawater for a
time, and then used a quality sea salt, and my snail problems have stopped. Magnesium toxicity may also be brought about by dosing (or overdosing) on magnesium supplements. It just may be that certain gastropods are more sensitive to this compound, become anesthetized, and become so relaxed that they asphyxiate, or otherwise become vulnerable to predators in the tank. I never did any full scale experimentation to prove or isolate Magnesium as the culprit, all I'm saying that it's worth looking into.
Hope this little info helps!
Best regards,
Richard (Manila, Philippines)
<Hi Richard, Mich here.
Your hypothesis absolutely makes sense. Magnesium Sulfate (MgSO4) in the human acts as a central nervous system depressant. It blocks neuromuscular transmission by decreasing the amount of acetylcholine released by motor nerve impulses. A secondary effect is the relaxation of smooth muscle tissue. MgSO4 is also the most commonly used tocolytic agent, it decreases the frequency and intensity of uterine contractions associated with preterm labor. It is also used to prevent seizures and convulsions.. Mag toxicity is a huge concern in something the size of a human, let alone a tiny snails. When MgSO4 is given in a hospital setting the antagonist
calcium, typically calcium gluconate, is kept at the bedside. Patella Tendon reflexes are continuously monitored for signs of diminished or
absent reflexes related to the risk of overdose.
So as it relates to the original query, it may be time to check the calcium level and magnesium levels in your tank. The snail death very well
may be related to elevated levels of magnesium, which could be reduced by increasing calcium. In the immediacy stop dosing magnesium and increase your calcium levels.
Richard, thanks again for contacting us. And to the author of the original query, if you read this please let us know the outcome. All very interesting.
Regards Michelle Lemech MS RN>

Algae on My Snail, Causing Me Discomfort - 02/07/2007
<Hi there!  Mich here tonight.>
My snail has algae all over it, it can't be good for it.  
<It's really not detrimental to it.>
What do I do?
<If it really bothers you, you can remove it with a little manual manipulation, perhaps with a paper towel.  Hope that helps.  -Mich>

Crabs and Turbos... on their way out    1/15/07
Hello,
<Hi there>
I currently have a 24G nano set up at my home. I have several fish(3), some peppermints, a cleaner shrimp, a few small corals, Turbos, hermits and an emerald crab and  anemone crab. The tank has been established for one year (next week). I have had pretty good success with the nano since I started it. I do water changes every 10 days, check the water every other day, have good lighting set on a timer, a chiller to keep it at 76 degrees, live sand, live rock, low algae, good coralline algae....just to give you an overview.
My question(s) are:
1. I have a  sudden "die off" of turbo. One every 3 days on average. I find them on their backs in the morning, usually being munched on my the hermits or bumblebees. Could it be random?( has a slew of baby Turbos doing very well)
<Mmm, being this/too regular... I don't consider random... something is either amiss with your water quality for these snails, and/or a predator is at play... I suspect the crab/s>
2. My anemone crab (who is fairly new) just molted and lost both is large claws and two legs??
<Again... can be water quality (a lacking, imbalance in biomineral (Ca, Mg) and alkalinity... or a predator at play here>
He still has his filter feeders, so he might survive?
<Yes>
3. My emerald crab lost a claw about 6 months ago and never regrew it.
<Okay... I'd be definitely reading up re the imbalance alluded to above... Here: http://wetwebmedia.com/calcalkmar.htm
and the linked files above. It is hard to maintain such consistency in smaller volumes as yours... and over time, the more-easily soluble sources in substrates (gravel, rock) are lost... and become rate-limiting... Can replenish to some extent with water changes, feeding/supplementation, but switching out, adding new substrate is the simplest improvement means>
His other claw grew very large, but now he has lost it as well. What are his chances?
<Fine if no real predators>
They need those claws to eat, correct?
<Mmm, no... really the smaller set/pair under/behind the largest, forward-most are/can be used here... the biggest pair are for defense and killing...>
Anything I can do for him.
<Read, understand biomineral, alkalinity chemistry...>
Is there anything that might be causing this to happen to my crabs?? Calcium and iodine levels always look good when I test for them.
Thanks,
Matt
<"Looking good"... is of no use here... need numbers, not subjective evaluations. What is your Magnesium? About 3X the Ca? Alkaline reserve measure? Bob Fenner>

Rusty well water, dying snails, need for testing and more reading  1/5/07
Hello! Bob
My name is Karl Douville
<Hello Karl, My name is Mich and I'll be your WWM Crew member today!>
I am contacting you because I have a 180-gallon reef fish tank and my tank does not look the way I always thought it should look like!
<Umm OK, how did you think it should look?>
It looks pretty healthy but I know something is just not right!
<OK.  And you know this how?>
I started my tank has been running for 10 month including the cycling period.
<OK, still a very young tank.>
I have had experience before with the same tank!  On city water.
<OK.  Yikes, city water!>
I just siphoned my live sand and got a lot of sediments or organic matter, but I’m not sure if it was a good idea, because I was told to not stir up the live sand?
<Is good to clean areas of the sandbed, just not the entire sandbed at one time.>
My nitrates are still up! About 20 ppm
<Higher than desired.>
I am using deep well water.  (It has rust in it, but I don’t think that is my problem.)
<May want to reconsider this.>
I don’t use R.O. but I did have a really good ultraviolet with three good quality filters!
<UV will kill bacterial/microfauna present in water, but will not have any effect on nitrate levels.  RO water should not have any measurable nitrates; the same cannot be said for well water.  Have you tested you well water for nitrates?  How often do you have the wet chemistry of your well water professionally analyzed?>
I have done lots of test iron, ph, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, phosphate and kH gH are all good, but yet to figure out my calcium levels because of an expired test kit witch read way to high to believe. It had no end to the test!
<Time to invest in a new Calcium kit.>
I have had casualties with snails at the start and I have not bought anymore
since that.  (35 snails perished)
<That's quite a few.>
The snail would be fine in the bag but as soon as put them in they would slither around and then start falling on their backs and I kept flipping them over and over! Some liked the glass but could not go on the sand or they flipped!
<I actually suspect you Magnesium levels are too high, possibly having the effect of a muscle relaxant on your snails.  Calcium levels are also likely to be low.  Would be wise to invest in these two tests.>  
That’s why I thought of the sand being the problem! And I cleaned it!
<I don't think this is the problem.>
My live sand is 4 inches deep and layered from big shell on the bottom to medium size in the middle and finer aragonite on top!  There has been no hydrogen sulphite bubbles or blackish looking sand. There is not plenum, but I put large shells on the bottom to create natural a plenum.
<Would be better to have a 4 inch bed of consistently fine aragonite sand or a deeper bed of the mixed grain.  Please start reading here:  http://www.wetwebmedia.com/deepsandbeds.htm>
I have seen copepods, arthropods, worms and none threatening bristle worms (blue and orange) in my sand.
<The threat of bristle worms are overrated.>
I have 3 cleaner shrimps, several hermit crabs, 2 tomato clowns, 1 yellow tang, 1 camel shrimp, 1 flame angel, 1 algae blenny , assorted mushrooms, small toad stool, some polyps that are doing pretty good and 1 new giant white carpet anemone which is not doing really good.  
<Watch the anemone, has the potential to have a large negative effect on your system.>
I hope you can diagnose my problem!
<Check your magnesium and calcium levels.>
Thank you for time!
<Welcome, You seem to be missing some key facts here...I recommend you spend some time reading either on the WWM or perhaps invest in a book such as The Conscientious Marine Aquarist by Robert M. Fenner.  -Mich>

Snails Dying 12/25/06
Dear WWW Crew,
<Hello>
I've been losing snails for a very long time now (over a year). I've read through your articles and FAQs, and haven't found a definitive solution yet.
<Mmm>
Mid July of this past year, I lost power for almost a week. As these things usually happen, I was away for the week, leaving my wife alone to deal with the problem. Unfortunately, the only thing that survived were some zoos, snails, and obviously some scavengers, since my snails continued to end up as ornaments at the bottom of my tank. The tank has been running semi-fallow since that time, and I'm interested in getting it back to a nicer state. My plan of attack is to set up a whole-house generator, get the remaining algae under control, and then decide on reef or fish, and proceed from there.
Unfortunately, I'm not making much headway on the algae elimination because of my snail problem.
Please give me some suggestions for how to identify what is causing the loss of my snails.
I do see small bristle worms in the tank (do these attack snails?),
<Small Bristle Worms shouldn't be a problem in your tank.>
but have not heard the snapping sound of mantis shrimp, and have not seen any other pests. One strange item that occurred was that I had an Arrow Crab about a year ago that I found one morning in pieces.
<Could very well be from a lack of food.>
From what I've read, there's got to be something pretty fierce in there to take out an Arrow crab, but what could it be?
If I continue to run the tank fallow and not add any more snails, will the predator eventually starve, or would they be able to live off of things growing in the live rock?
<A predator that would attack/eat snails will unlikely survive without a meaty food supply.>
How long would be prudent to believe the predator has starved?
<If such predator exists, it will gradually get braver in search of food.  If this is the case, it should reveal itself.>
What else can I try?
I'm considering traps, fresh-dipping all of my live rock, etc, but not sure how drastic to get.
<Wouldn't do that.  I'm guessing, based on your info, that your snail population is dieing due to a lack of food.  I would remove all but four of five of them and see if they survive.  If algae conditions get worse down the road, try adding another snail, and more if needed, until you reach a balance of food availability vs. your snail population.>
My tank is a 75 gallon, with DSB, and lots of live rock. I have a hang on the back refugium. The nutrients in my tank are getting to the point of being so low that the macro algae that has sprouted from the live rock over the past few months grows extremely slowly, the macro in the refugium is not growing well at all, and the hair algae that was a huge issue when I lost power looks like it's suffering. Because of the lack of algae in the refugium, I can see small bristle worms regularly.
<Your lack of algae seems to confirm lack of food for the snails.  I'm assuming you haven't treated your tank with any copper based medications or used Windex or similar cleaners near the tank, so this would rule out poisoning.>
I appreciate any assistance you can offer me.
<You're welcome.  James (Salty Dog)>
Re:  Snails Dying 12/29/06
As always, I appreciate the quick replies.
<You're welcome.>
I'm attaching 2 pictures of my tank, one from a year ago and the other from this evening. Please review them and let me know whether you still believe that the snails could be dieing because of a lack of food. There seems to be tons of algae left in the tank, but maybe they can't live off of certain types?
<If the second photo is the most recent...yikes!>
Other than food (and not any of that in the past few months) top off water, and additives, I'm not aware of anything else getting into the tank.
I add the following:
2 part calcium addition - nearly daily except for days I add other items
Kalk - weekly to semiweekly
Strontium - weekly
Iodine - weekly
Magnesium - weekly or semiweekly depending upon test levels The snails dieing doesn't seem to coincide with my changing any schedules or anything. Most of the stuff I've used since the tank first cycled 18 months ago and the others were started after the snails started going belly up.
Any other thoughts or recommendations would be appreciated.
<It appears your tank is loaded with filamentous algae.  In my opinion the Astraea snail does the better job here.  You may want to add one or two Lawnmower Blennies to the tank.  They do a good job cleaning out this type algae.  As far as the snails dieing, if you have Astraea snails, this type can actually drown if they loose their footing and end up being completely upside down.
They don't right themselves very well.  Other than that, I'm stumped as to why your snails are dieing, based on your information.  Maybe one of the crew members may have additional input.  James (Salty Dog)>

Re: Some Inputs on Dying Snails Query  12/30/06
Hi everyone!
I just want to comment on the problem of the dying snails (original query attached below).  I had this problem before in my fully stocked reef tank, everything was ok, except for the gastropods, who seemed to lose grip and balance, fall down to the gravel, unable to right themselves and dying after a few days.  
I teach undergraduate invertebrate zoology, and I soon made a connection between one additive and the gastropod deaths: Magnesium sulfate and Magnesium chloride.  In the lab, either of these compounds is used to slowly anesthetize and 'relax' aquatic invertebrates to allow for easy dissection.  In my case, magnesium overdose was traced to the poor quality sea salt I was using at the time ( I know better now). I shifted to natural seawater for a time, and then used a quality sea salt, and my snail problems have stopped. Magnesium toxicity may also be brought about by dosing (or overdosing) on magnesium supplements.  It just may be that certain gastropods are more sensitive to this compound, become anesthetized, and become so relaxed that they asphyxiate, or otherwise become vulnerable to predators in the tank. I never did any full scale experimentation to prove or isolate Magnesium as the culprit, all I'm saying that it's worth looking into.
Hope this little info helps!
Best regards,
Richard (Manila, Philippines)
<Hi Richard, Mich here. Your hypothesis absolutely makes sense.  Magnesium Sulfate (MgSO4) in  the human acts as a central nervous system depressant.  It blocks  neuromuscular transmission by decreasing the amount of acetylcholine  released by motor nerve impulses.  A secondary effect is the relaxation of  smooth muscle tissue.  MgSO4 is also the most commonly used tocolytic agent, it decreases the frequency and intensity of uterine contractions associated with preterm labor.   It is also used to prevent seizures and convulsions..Mag toxicity is a huge concern in something the size of a human, let alone a tiny snails.  When MgSO4 is given in a hospital setting the antagonist 

calcium, typically calcium gluconate, is kept at the bedside.  Patella Tendon reflexes are continously monitored for for signs of diminished or 
absent reflexes related to the risk of overdose. 
       So as it relates to the original query, it may be time to check the calcium level and magnesium levels in your tank.  The snail death very well 
may be related to elevated levels of magnesium, which could be reduced by increasing calcium. In the immediacy stop dosing magnesium and increase your calcium levels. 
       Richard, thanks again for contacting us.  And to the author of the original query, if you read this please let us know the outcome.  All very interesting. 
Regards Michelle Lemech MS RN> 

Turbo Snails 11/6/06
Hello,
<Hi>
I am hoping you can help me. I have been searching the web and have found nothing. <Will try.> Yesterday I bought 12 turbo snails for my 55 gallon saltwater aquarium. I don't have any fish in it yet, my first fish are still quarantining. I bought the snails as part of my "clean up crew."  
When I put them in, within an hour 10 of them went to work on the  algae, however, 2 stayed in the place where ended up when released from the bag, after acclimation. They are still like that today.
A couple websites have said that Turbo snails, when upside down, can't right themselves and will die a slow death, usually within a couple hours. Is this true? <Yes, but may take longer than a couple of hours.> As soon as I read that on one of the websites, I reached my hand into my tank and turned them right side up.
So, I guess my questions are 1) Did 2 of my turbo snails die from  being turned upside down overnight? <Maybe, although acclimation and other issues are in play here.> Is that even possible? <Yes> and 2) How can you tell when a turbo snail does, in fact, die?
<Check it for movement, and the always fun smell test, take them out and have a smell, you WILL know right away.>
Thank you,
Sarah
<Chris>

Snail growth and toadfish ID.  10/24/06
       Hello Crew,
   <Danny>
                 Thanks for taking the time to read my letter. First off, I have an adult toadfish but I'm having problems getting the exact species name. I have included a picture.
<Mmm, not here... have you perused fishbase.org re the Batrachoidids? Is this a tropical West Atlantic species? See Paul Humann and Ned DeLoach's works...>
He's given me no problems aside from eating all his tankmates.
<Not atypical for the group/family>
Second, one of my turbo snails has developed a white cottony growth on his shell. There are two of them and were not part of him when the snail was bought. I picked him up out of the water to get a better picture and the growths held up without water. I don't think there is anything on his shell that would support bacteria or mold growth, so sponges maybe?
<Perhaps>
Also, I found a growth at the top of the white growth that resembles a feather duster. The (radiola?) from the duster are very similar top what's hanging out ton my snail. I also found the same white growth on one of my filter pads.
<What a planet eh? I'm not leaving! Nothing to worry re here>
  Thanks,
  Daniel
<Welcome. Bob Fenner>

Marine Snail Parasites? - 08/07/06
Hi There,
<<Howdy>>
Fist off, I very much appreciate your website - you have saved me many headaches, and my friendly inhabitants many discomforts.
<<We are pleased to know this>>
I have looked all over your website, and can't find anything addressing this possible problem I have with a few of my Astrea Snails.
<<Okay>>
I have a small SW tank (aprox. 25 gallons) with two aqua-cultured percula clowns, some small clams (not Tridacna), feather dusters, sponges, two small starfish, LR with coralline and Caulerpa algae.  As I was doing a water change the other day, I noticed
something growing on the shells of a few of my snails.  I wasn't able to get a good picture, but it looks like a black raspberry growing on one side of the snail.  Although, it doesn't really look black, it looks a shade of green.
<<Hmm...>>
I don't know how long they have been there, but I would imagine they've been in the tank for a while.  Two or three of the snails have large "colonies" on them, and a few others have just a few "bubbles" on their shells.  Everything in the tank is growing and thriving, but I want to make sure I don't have some kind of parasite taking residence on my snails.  Any suggestions as to what these are?
<<Impossible to say...but sounds to me like it might be Valonia, or another species of "bubble" algae...may even be a form of coralline growth.  I wouldn't worry much at this stage.  Keep an eye on it and see what develops...or maybe even pluck the organisms from the snail’s shells if you wish>>
Thanks,
Jon
<<Regards, EricR>>

Turbo Snail dilemma
I have a little problem with the turbo Snails in my tank. I had three nice sized snails and each one of them died the same way? I had one in my tank for almost 5 months and the other two a little over 2 months and one by one they started to die the same way, its like they fall of the glass, I flip them back over, and over a course of a day or two they would stay in one spot and slowly  die. <Do you have any idea of how long they were upside down? That does make a difference.> My nitrate levels are a little high (Nitrate NO-3 range in between 5.0 to  10 on the card) and my PH levels are a slight low but nothing to worry about and the rest of my levels are fine. <Its hard to determine whether its anything to worry about without having the actual numbers but I would say that it could possibly be a combination of the two or fluctuation. You don't mention how long the tank was established? Do you have a lot of algae? Turbos need a lot of algae to eat. I have had some over four years that are thriving and having babies so they can be kept for a long time. Have you kept them for a while before you lose them? Or do they die very quickly? Turbos do best with a long, slow acclimation process.>I have one piece of mushroom coral in my tank  growing off a rock, its the only piece of coral in my tank and its been there  for almost two years. That's why I'm a little confused why my
snails are dying.  Maybe you can tell me what's going on I can really use the advice, so when I do  get more snails I won't be wasting money. Thank you so much........ Dave  Nahodil   <Hope this helped Dave or at least gave you some directions to find the answers. MacL>

Turbo Snails... actually nothing, or not much to do with Gastropods... something about setting up a reef tank... No prev. corr. included...
I have had my tank for 2 years now, but like I said, I had the one snail  for 5 or 6 months. There is algae in my tank, but it grows on the glass but I  
clean it off so my tank looks nice. There is algae all over the sand,   rocks, ornaments. I have just got the Fluval 304 Canister Power Filter to  eliminate the Whisper filters.
<Mmm, I'd run all in tandem... at least for a while>
I have a lot air pumps and a artificial current  pump for good water circulation, also I have natural ocean sunlight bulbs for  lighting.
I have a lot of sponges, baby starfish, small clams, small feather  dusters, and those thin white stringy things growing out of the sand. I also  keep my
heat at 80 to 82 degrees in my tank because of the air conditioning. I  want to start a reef tank, but I don't want the coral to die, so if this can sum  up
anything for you about my problem please let me know. Thank you Again.......  
Dave Nahodil      
<? Please keep reading... re the systems for the animals you intend to keep, compatibility... foods/feeding/nutrition... on WWM, elsewhere. Bob Fenner>

Suicide Snails/Shedding Shrimp - 01/24/06
Hi Guys!
<<Hello!...and don't forget the gals we have here too...>>
I have a 36 gallon SW tank, with about 30 lbs. of live rock.  I have a clownfish and a yellow-tail blue damsel.
<<Alright!...glad to see you haven't tried to stuff a couple tangs in here!  Goodonya!>>
In addition over the past four months we have had one fire shrimp, three peppermint shrimp, and probably 12-15 snails (fennel & astrea/turbo)
<<Hmm...not saying I'm always the brightest bulb in the box...but the only Fennel snails I'm aware of are the ones that have been seasoned with same, i.e. - Escargots >>
-- never more than six at a time) all die.
<<Little buggers can be tougher to keep than many folks think.>>
The peppermint shrimp didn't seem to last long at all.  The fire shrimp lasted a good couple months, but was molting every two weeks and finally gave up.
<<Mmm, yes...metabolic burnout maybe.  Something does appear to be amiss here.>>
The snails, however, seem to want to die.  They head straight for
the intake valve of the protein skimmer (and subsequently get their guts sucked in...) or just jump off the walls of the tank and can't right themselves.
<<An unfortunate design feature of the Astrea snail's shell (when it comes to captive keeping).  These critters are made for rocky/rubble areas where they can easily "right" themselves after a fall...not so easy on a flat sand bed.>>
The two fish seem to be thriving, and we even have some corals (what I believe is pimpled mushroom corals) which are growing like crazy and doing very well also.  Any suggestions as to why we can't get the inverts to live?
<<A couple thoughts...  Firstly, test your calcium, magnesium, and alkalinity and make sure all are at natural seawater levels/in balance.  Second, make sure to acclimate the snails and shrimp carefully as they tend to be sensitive to changes in osmotic pressure and pH.  And third, try dosing iodine/iodide, making sure to follow directions closely.>>
Thanks!
Becky
<<Regards, EricR>>

Snail Death in Marine Tank  11/28/05
Hi
<Hello Glen.>
Question....
<Of course.>
I found some dead snails... decomposing water has slight smell..
<In your aquarium I assume?>
Snail shells I removed smelled.. my nitrates was about 20,
<This could be why the snail died or this could be a result of the death, either way needs to be brought down through water changes.>
It rose slightly... checked nitrite level .on color chart shows slightly over zero less than 0.25... fish look normal
<Yes but it should be zero, I would go ahead with some water changes.>
Have protein skimmer and U.V... I also rinsed the filter off, kept bio wheel intact and untouched... should I do a water change
<Yes.>
First thing in am .. if so how much 
<A few large (at least 25%) consecutive changes until water chemistry is at par.>
yesterday I did a I 5 gallon water change 30 gallon tank.. but that was before I n noticed the dead snails.. in the tank
<Were they new, snails are quite sensitive to acclimation, if not the nitrate levels, should be as close to zero as possible for inverts and nitrite levels, should be zero…period, are to blame.>
Thank u for your help
<<"You", not "u".  Marina>>
<Welcome.>
glen
<Adam J.> 

Hair Algae/Dying Snails - 07/17/05
I have a 75 gallon tank and fifteen pounds of green hair algae!
<<Mmm, been there before myself...>>
Ok, I cannot get rid of this stuff.  I only have one clown fish and a cleaner shrimp. a bunch of scarlet and blue hermits...I have tried everything...every time I add snails they die off.
<<Yikes!  This is telling you something...>>
I don’t know if it is the larger crabs killing them or what.
<<Maybe...but likely the "or what.">>
Would a UV Sterilizer help here?
<<I doubt it.  Not to say these devices don't have/serve a purpose, I just consider them too high-maintenance and of limited benefit in marine systems.  You're better served with an ozone generator in my opinion.  Though this is not necessarily the solution to your problem.>>
Should I remove all 90 lbs of my live rock and put it in a tub with a power jet in the dark?
<<Is an option...though for the benefit of any photosynthetic life on the rock you might do better to remove, "gently" scrub in clean salt water, and place back in the tank.>>
I had a great tank but everything died off except what I mentioned.
<<???!!!... Did you determine/correct whatever caused the die-off?  This may be the source of your algae problem.>>
I recently replaced about a 3rd of the substrate and that didn't do it either.
<<Wouldn't expect it to.>>
I think it may be my skimmer...it doesn’t produce much and I have to baby-sit the darn thing to keep it working....if I got a new skimmer would it do the trick?
<<A quality skimmer can definitely help and should be your first purchase before a UV or ozone unit (ER, Aqua-C, and ASM are good skimmers to research).>>
How frequently should I scrape this and do water changes?
<<Likely weekly to bi-weekly.>>
Is there an additive I can use?
<<No magic elixirs I'm afraid.>>
Is calcium good or bad in this instance (as in dosing Kalkwasser)?
<<Calcium is good...the addition of Kalkwasser can also help by raising/boosting pH and precipitating phosphate.>>
Help- I am at my wits end with this stuff!
<<Make sure your calcium and alkalinity are where they should be (might even boost the calcium just a bit), use Kalkwasser for evaporation replacement, add a "quality" skimmer (try running the skimmer a bit "wet" for a couple weeks), and try to keep your pH in the 8.4-8.6 range...If simple nutrient export is the issue this may alleviate your problem (along with prudent feeding, water changes, et al).  If not, you're back to just treating the symptom and will need to determine what is feeding your algae (that "tank die-off" is bothering me...didn't suddenly change salt mixes did you?).>>
Thanks!
Jeff
<<Regards, Eric R.>>

- Quarantine of Snails -
I have a quick question for you guys.  I have a new tank, about 3 weeks old, but it is stocked with 75% mature live rock that has been in an another aquarium for a couple years.  The only livestock in there are a few zoanthid polyps and three turbo snails that can't really keep up with the variety and quantity of algae growing.  My next additions are a small number of Nassarius, bumblebee, and  Trochus snails, and I wonder if I should keep them in a quarantine first. <I know Anthony would say yes, but I say no... go ahead and put them in.> I know that is the standard of good health, but I can't help but think that the snails are better off in an environment full of sand, rocks, and food for them rather than an empty quarantine tank where I would have to feed them with outside food. <And I would agree.> Because there are no fish in the tank, is there any danger in moving them directly to the main tank? <Generally speaking, fish diseases aren't spread by snails. Only snail diseases would be spread by snails so there is risk, but then again snails are easily replaced and don't seem to hurt as much when you lose one or two compared with a prized fish.>
Thanks in advance,
Joel
<Cheers, J -- >

Turbo snail deaths
Hi, I know this question was partly answered but could you give me some detail? Sorry if I'm wasting your time.
I have a 40 gallon reef tank with two clownfish, a couple redlegs and a Foxface Rabbitfish and it's going great except for one thing, every turbo snail I add snuffs it within a few days. The guys at a renowned shop said that the water sample I bought in was fantastic and were at a loose end as to what could be causing these deaths. Could my salinity be to blame? There is one turbo snail who I have had for ages and he's doing great, it's just the others that I add which seem to die. <Aaron, one thing to be careful of is, when acclimating Turbos, care has to be taken so they are not upside down when they are put in your tank.  Turbos can actually drown this way.  Other than that, unless you are using some form of copper in the tank, I really don't know what to tell you.  James (Salty Dog)
Thanks.
Aaron A.

Mysterious Snail Deaths...
Dear Reefers,
<Scott F. your reefer tonight!>
I have a 2 foot all glass tank which I acquired second hand over 2 years ago. I use it as a permanent quarantine set up and it has been running for over 18 months, with a water change each week using 7 litres of water taken from my reef system. The tank contains some live rock with Xenia, but no sand. The hardware in the tank is an Eheim pump, attached to an outside canister with sintered glass ring medium for adaptable bio function, and a Polyfilter pad put in as a precaution. There is also a submerged heater connected to an exterior thermostat. It is lit by 2 x T8 Triton tubes with reflectors. I am a natural aquarist, so no skimmer on either system. 
<This sounds like a wonderful system to "harden" newly arrived livestock and provide a period of time for you to observe your fish before placing them in the display. However, in my personal opinion, a quarantine system need not be a permanent feature. It's a bare (with the exception of some inert materials such as PVC sections for new fishes to hide in) and temporary; you simply set it up when required and break it down when done. The biggest problem with a "permanent" quarantine system, IMO, is that any diseases brought in with new arrivals can remain in a tank with substrate and live rock, and pass them on to the next batch of fishes. In addition, it is somewhat problematic to treat sick fishes in such a setup, which can render many medications less effective, literally "absorbing" some. Please re-think this setup.>
At present there are a few Stomatella snails, Gammarus shrimp, some Spionid worms and a few small annelid worms. There used to be some small Dove snails, but these appear to have stopped breeding and died out. My problem is that I have lost a number of snails during quarantine, the most recent being a large Trochus after about 3 and a half weeks. I have had a similar snail in the main system for over a year, and the other Astrea and Cerith snails in the main system are also all early additions over a year "old".
I was about to order some additional snails from a UK mail order supplier, Ultimate Aquatics, and I noticed their warning that these snails are VERY sensitive to copper.
<True, many snails are sensitive to copper (yet another reason not to utilize them in any system destined to quarantine/treat fishes!) and other medications.>
Could there have been a residue of copper in the all glass/silicone tank when I acquired it, and if so could there still be a harmful level of copper after all this time. If so, why did it not harm the early snail additions during their quarantine?
<It is possible, but if the system has been running for some time, it seems unlikely to me that residual copper could be continuing to leach in levels that could be toxic. Keep in mind that many snails are sensitive to environmental changes, and careful acclimation is required to avoid losses.>
If not, what could be the difference between the main and quarantine system which is apparently causing snail fatalities? All the measurable parameters are identical, and fishes, corals and hermits have all been through the their 4 week quarantine without problems. I do use a long acclimatization period of up to 2 hours for snails, and I make sure that the snails are not pulled off the surface but teased off. There is food in the form of diatoms on the glass and rock as well as the usual turf algae.
<Could be a lot of possibilities, such as a disease or some sort of toxin., or even a predator of some sort that has escaped detection. I've seen such a phenomenon before with snails, and it's hard to say what the real answer is. It can also be source or stresses the animals encountered along the chain of custody from reef to hobbyist.>
I would really appreciate your advice on what precautions to take before I order my next batch of snails and try again..
Regards,
Eric B 
<Well, Eric- I think I'd do two things: First, if you're suspicious about copper levels in the system, I'd encourage you to test for copper in the tank water. Also, you might want to consider acquiring the snails from a different source, to see if there is any correlation between the source and the problems that you are encountering. With a little experimentation and the process of elimination, you might just solve the mystery! Good luck! Regards, Scott F.> 

Nassarius Snails are dying
Hello Bob, I really enjoy reading up on the website and have already learned so much. But I am encountering a very frustrating problem. I have a 30 gal saltwater tank, with 32 lbs of live rock, about a 3-4 in live sand bed, two small percula clowns, 8 red tip reef hermits, 10 Astrea (I think that's what they are) snails, 10 Nassarius snails, and two peppermint shrimp. 
Well in the past two weeks FOUR of my Nassarius snails have died. They are very tiny, the smallest things in the tank, and seem to be the only thing affected. I have checked and double checked and checked once again my water params, and my water quality is very good (don't have a heavy bio-load). But one day I came home to find two empty Nassarius snail shells. I don't know what killed them, just saw the clean-up crew doing their thing. I called up my local fish store, and the person I talked to basically chalked it up to one of the hermits (even though I did not SEE the hermit doing it). Although he admitted it was out of character for them to become aggressive like that (they have them set up together at the store and don't have a problem). 
I continued like normal with feeding (once a day in the evenings) and regular maintenance. A few days later I lost another one. This time chunks of him were still in the shell, but once again the clean up crew (this time a peppermint) was cleaning out the old shell. I called the fish store again, the different person I got had no clue as to what was affecting them. I made sure the little guys were in fact eating at supper time and everyone was getting a bite to eat (from the ones I could see out of the sand). 
Yesterday was the first day I found one not already dead. He was in the middle of the tank and not moving (as you know, very uncommon for these active little snails) or being harassed by any other tank mates, so I picked him up to check him out, I saw him moving slowly in his shell, I couldn't tell if he was "tore up" from something getting at him or not. I placed him in a less-trafficked area of the tank and this morning he has not moved from that spot. Even if he is still alive. I called the fish store last night and talked to yet ANOTHER person, who can only think of perhaps a bristleworm is doing its work here or some malice hitchhiker crab. I DID have a bristleworm on a piece of rock I picked out when I first setup my tank the day after Christmas, but they removed it at the fish store, could there be more?
< I hope so, you want lots of bristleworms in your tank. > 
Could any of the salt build-up around the rim of the tank be affecting these guys when the climb the glass to feed on the food floating...
< I doubt it, but maybe. I'm surprised they climb up to get floating food. > 
... on the top (which is very interesting to watch!)? Any help would be much appreciated, I seem to have everyone stumped on this and as a beginner I don't know what to think. I just hate to keep losing these snails and not know what it is or be able to help.
< Well I wouldn't be worried by this. I'm thinking it may be a lack of food, or they were in poor health from shipping when you received them, or maybe they are just old and died. Either way losing some snails doesn't concern me. When you lose all your snails in an afternoon, then we have a problem. Just relax and keep and eye out. Hopefully this won't continue. >
Thanks so much, Christine
< Blundell > 

- Snails Dying -
All my other inverts, corals, and fish are doing fine in my 29 gallon tank.  The test results have all my chem.s right where they should bell.  My turbo snails seem to be dying for no reason.  I just find about 1 a week on the bed of the tank.  I figure my hermits are cleaning them out..  I feed enough for all inhabitants..  Any ideas?? <Is pretty typical for snails... they fall down, can't right themselves and then either die in place or a hermit crab will arrive and dispatch them.> Would really appreciate it. <I wouldn't load up on snails if I were you... just keep one or two around in this tank and things will be fine.>
Mark
<Cheers, J -- >

Super Tongan Nassarius Snails dying
Okay, a little update, I don't know what it means though. I took a closer look at the little "injured" snail, he is still alive this afternoon.  I picked him up to have a closer look, it seems his "foot" is damaged, all shriveled up and a little shreddy looking (might even look "rotten" but he's so small it's hard to tell). He doesn't have the big beautiful flat foot they normally do, it's more of a thin stump and he retracts it quickly...as if it "hurts"?   I am wondering can the salt be doing this or something attacking them?  It is bugging me to see them suffer like this.  Will you folks reply in email or on the website? I am afraid I cannot
navigate the website easily and I don't want to miss the answer. and if it IS already on the website, may I have a direct link? 
<Christine, I really have to believe something in your tank is trying to make a meal of these guys. Bristle worms can sometimes do this depending on the species. More than likely it is probably a night time critter that you don't see. I would take out the specimens you have left and even keep them in a glass of water, putting in a piece of flake food or whatever and change the water in the glass daily with tank water. Just exchange the water, no need to make any up. Keep your eye open at night if your able, and use a flashlight and see if you can see anything unusual present in the tank after hours. These critters are fairly hardy so I'm thinking whatever is happening isn't natural. Good luck. James (Salty Dog)>

Super Tongan Nassarius Snails dying - UPDATE 2/25/05
Okay, a little update, I don't know what it means though.  I took a closer look at the little "injured" snail, he is still alive this afternoon. I picked him up to have a closer look, it seems his "foot" is damaged, all shriveled up and a little shreddy looking (might even look "rotten" but he's so small it's hard to tell). He doesn't have the big beautiful flat foot they normally do, it's more of a thin stump and he retracts it quickly...as if it "hurts"? I am wondering can the salt be doing this or something attacking them? 
<could be... they are sensitive to water chemistry>
It is bugging me to see them suffer like this.  Will you folks reply in email or on the website? 
<both>
I am afraid I cannot navigate the website easily and I don't want to miss the answer. and if it IS already on the website, may I have a direct link? 
<do some keyword searches my friend and learn so much more in the process. Search for "snails shock", "snails sea salt", etc>
Thanks again for all your help.
<best of luck/life! Anthony>

New 55 gallon Snail and Shrimp Deaths (12-13-04)
Hi WWM crew,
<Hello. You have Leslie here this evening.>
I recently set up a 55 gallon reef tank about 2 weeks ago. I have 60 lbs of Arag-alive Bahamas oolite, 45 lbs of Fiji live rock from LiveAquaria.com which took 5 days to cure, a sand sifting star, 2 peppermint shrimp but one died 2 days after I put it in, 12 red leg hermits, 3 blue leg, 15 turbo snails (about 6 aren't moving so I put them in a separate container and took out the ones that where stuck to the side. 4 I think are dead. they smell pretty bad). My equip. is 260 watt Coralife lunar Aqualight, Eheim pro II 2026, aqua c remora which I set up about 2 days ago, and a Rio 800 power head. I filled my tank up with freshwater from my faucet (well water that passes through 2 carbon filters and a water softener) and mixed the right amount of salt to it. I waited 2 days and check all of the levels. Then I added my sand which I opened the bags underwater and I spread it around. I waited 2 days then added my live rock to the tank. There were still some coralline algae on it since it took 5 days to cure. I set my light system for the actinic for 14 hrs and my daylight for 12 hrs. It ran for 4 days and then I added 10 Turbos, 10 red legs, the sand sifter, and the shrimp. I started adding coral-vital to speed up the growth of my coralline. I did a 25% water change with RO water I got from my LFS which I work at, because my phosphates were .5. I started getting brown algae on my substrate and live rock in a few places, then on the glass. About a week later my substrate was all brown and so was the live rock, on the glass were patches of algae and this single hair like matter about 1/2 long on the glass all over. Over 3 days my water started to get cloudy, on the 3rd day I couldn't see the power head in the back of the tank. the first 10 inches from the top was like white cloudy water and as it went closer towards the sand it become a yellowish-brown like a urine color. all my levels are fine I have been testing my water everyday) I bought the skimmer right after I came home from school and I saw this and I got next day shipping so I received it the next day. It has been running for about 3 days and the foam is white and it produces about 1/2 cup full of brown water everyday (I have it on the lowest setting collecting as much as it can, otherwise I get nothing.) I don't know if the snails that I think died caused this or the coral-vital. I put a bag of Phos-guard, Chemi-pure, and reef carbon in the filter. What could be causing this? Thanks Joe  
<It sounds to me like the snails and shrimp were added too soon. If I read the sequence of events correctly you added the snails 6 days after you set the tank up. Your tank did not have time to establishing a biological filter. Please review following articles on biological filtration and cycling http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/setup/filtration/biological/biofiltr.htm
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/estbiofiltmar.htm>
HTH, Leslie

All snails dead
My 115 G reef tank (90G display + 10 G refugium + 15 G sump) has been
running since late August 04. Its inhabitants up until my problem,
which I'll explain in a moment, were:
2 green Chromis
1 lawnmower blenny
5 Trochus snails
7 Turbos
30 red-legged hermits
12 Nassarius snails
25 Ceriths snails
12 Astrea snails
8 margarita snails
The fuge also had eight mangroves,
<Eight? Too many... you are aware how big these plants grow?>
Caulerpa prolifera, Chaetomorpha,
and Red Grape Caulerpa. The display had green star polyps, and red and
green mushrooms.
The aquarium runs between 78 and 80 degrees. pH of 8.3-8.4. Ammonia and
nitrite at 0. Nitrate below 5. Salinity 1.025. KH 9.6. No phosphate.
Calcium has consistently been above 500.
<Too high... 350 to 400 is better, more sustainable... particularly in the face of trying to maintain alkaline reserve>
I have a Kalkwasser reactor that does automatic top off. I run 2 250W
10K MH and two 48" VHO blue Actinics.
On 5 November, I removed Kalk from the reactor to try and get the
calcium down, even though it did not seem to have any negative effect.
On the next day, I added a purple Montipora frag and a toadstool
leather coral.
On 7 Nov, I noticed that the Turbos were dormant. None were dead, but
they were not moving much. The leather had shrunk a lot and the
Montipora turned a dark color.
On 10 Nov, I changed carbon, replacing the 1.5 cups with new carbon. I
usually run two bags of 1.5 cups each and only change one at a time. I
also do 15-20% RO/DI water changes per week, matching temp and
salinity.
Later that day, the Montipora died. By the 14th, I noticed more snails
were dying and the green star polyps remained closed. Somewhere around
this time, the leather began developing scabs in its edges.
At this point, all snails are dead. The hermits and fish are OK.
<Good clues, input, records>
One other thing I noticed was the Red Grape Caulerpa was losing its
color.
<Likely related to the loss of integrity of the chemistry, physics of the environment overall>
The Chaeto was also becoming "loose" and instead of a rich
green, was more faded. The Caulerpa prolifera, which had been growing
like crazy, also began to slow and eventually deteriorate. I removed
the Caulerpa around the 20th before they disintegrated completely.
Theories include salinity that was way off. That did not pan out
because I bought a refractometer and my hydrometer is not off that
much. Another theory is copper or brass poisoning, but I do not know of
a source that would be causing this. I do use a standard plumbing check
valve on the incoming part of my RO/DI, and some standard garden hose
bibs to connect a pump to the chiller.
Other theory: The Caulerpa poisoned the whole system when it began to
fall apart.
<Not likely, though a minor possible adjunct>
I am open to other theories and ideas. I'd like to avoid this happening
in the future again.
Martin
<Martin, it is obvious you care deeply, have some understanding of basic marine aquariology, and have a BUNCH of money invested in gear... but also apparent that some basic "hands-on" information has not been gained as yet... The problem you had is very likely a matter of a "cascade effect" originating with the super-normal calcium concentration (pushed by your Kalkwasser use)... to put the situation in simple terms, the overabundance of calcium hydroxide (Kalk) diminished the presence of carbonate (alkalinity) and its availability to your snails... AND likely poisoned your Mangrove "stand"... these organisms dying, have precipitated the other observable stress, loss of life. Please take the time to read over the materials archived on our site, www.WetWebMedia.com on: Mangroves, Alkalinity and Calcium, Environmental Disease... in the meanwhile, do NOT buy, place any more livestock or purchase more equipment... What you have, a good mind, capacity to learn, desire to do well... is all you need. Bob Fenner>

WWM FAQ - Snails Dying
Good evening CREW! <Howdy John, MacL here with you this lovely evening.>  
I have read several of your responses on WWM regarding snails. One peaked my interest, as I have had several of my "cleaning" inverts die-off over the
last month.  First the basics.
I have 55 gal FOWLR. (approx. 60 lbs LR & approx. 40 lbs LS/crushed coral)
[2nd running - been up since 26 Apr 2004] Emperor 400 Bio-wheel filter with activated carbon, Aqua-C Remora Skimmer,2-Maxijet 900 Powerheads, and heater.
Temp: 76.5, pH: 8.2
Salinity: 32 ppt or approx. 1.024 SG
Nitrite: 0
Ammonia: 0
Nitrate: 20 ppm <Lil high I'd like to see it ideally at 0>
Inhabitants:
3 - Yellow tail Damsels
1 - Canary Wrasse
1 - Lawnmower Blenny
2 - Feather Dusters
I HAD... 6 - Turbo Snails (all died), 6 - Trochus Snails (all died), 8 -
Blue Leg crabs (all but one died), 8 - Red Leg crabs (all died), and finally
4 - Peppermint Shrimp (all died). <Did they all die at once? Did they die upon acclimation? Did they die in some kind of sequence?>  
Now, back to my question/problem.  I noticed in one of the responses about
dying snails, "metals" were mentioned and the artificial salt used might be
a culprit.  I am using Oceanic Natural Sea Salt Mix.  The label states "High
calcium and magnesium concentrations provide optimal growth for fish and
invertebrates."  <I have to say I tried Oceanic and liked it very much.>
Could HIGH MAGNESIUM levels be causing my inverts to die? <I really don't think its likely but you can find magnesium test kits. I would suggest running a PolyFilter somewhere in your system to see if it picks up anything that shouldn't be there. Turbos die by falling on their back and they can't get up. Ph swings can possibly kill some of the others. I'd like to investigate this more fully.> I have had two (really one very long outbreak of diatoms) and can't seem to get rid of them either (the outbreak is still in my tank.)  Don't know if that might give you a clue or not, but thought I would mention it. <Diatoms drive me insane the only thing that works for me is Kalkwasser.>  
I don't want to get more inverts just to have them die off.  Any help or advice will be greatly appreciated. <Lets not add any until we figure out what it is. One way to test if they die as soon as they get into the tank would be to mix up some salt water and put the invertebrates straight into that instead of into the tank. See if its the saltwater or something in the tank. MacL>
John McKnight
PS:  Great Job!  with the site.   Refer to it often and find it very useful. <Thank you kindly I will pass on the word.>

Are High Nitrates Killing my Snails?
Greetings,
I've got a 110-gal saltwater tank with 2-blue actinic and 2-white 48" VHO lights.  The blue's run from noon to 10, and the whites start an hour after and stop an hour before the blues (1pm - 9pm).  This tank has some mushroom anemones, red brain coral, some polyps, 3 Clarkii's, 3 Chromis, a Yellow Tang and a Flame Angel.  All get along great and seem happy, but I would love to add more fish as I'm pretty sure I have room.  Can you recommend something that is pretty and would play well with the others? << Maybe a wrasse or Dottyback.  Also, just about any goby and blenny would do well. >>
My other tank is a 10-gal that hasn't ever had anything in it and I'm wondering what I could put in there that would look pretty and be relatively easy to keep in a smaller system. << Again, most gobies and blennies are you best options here. >> I would love a Condylactis anemone and a percula clown, but I'm not sure that this would be recommended.  What do you think?  << I've seen some very successful tanks that were 10 gal anemonefish tanks.  If you keep it well stocked and clean, it is a good way to go. >>
My Turbo Snails seem to die off pretty quickly, yet my other, smaller snails (Ana-somethings) are very hardy and I don't think I've lost a single one.  My Nitrates are on the high end (~20 ppm), do you think this could cause them significant problems with my Turbo Snails?  << It could be.  Or it is possible that the dying snails are contributing to the high nitrates.  Either way, a water change and increased filtration is the best advice. >> I'm setting up my skimmer again, so that should help. << Definitely >>
Thanks again for all your great advice.  I sure appreciate it.
Sincerely, << Good luck. >>
Judd
<<  Blundell  >>

Snail Behavior (6/2/04)
  Oh Salty Ones a bit of information pls.  Am a daily reader and fan.  You guys run an incredibly fantastic web site!!  <A pleasure to play a small part. Steve Allen with you tonight.>
I have started a new marine tank which will be essentially fish only but with a deep sand bed and live rock.  I have an 80 gal. tank with wet and dry and a protein skimmer running (Aqua C Remora Pro). <Excellent skimmer choice.> Also running charcoal.  Have approx 50lbs live rock, mostly Fiji and about 30lbs dead or base rock. <Will "come alive" in due time.> Tank has been running w/o any life for several months, added the live rock about three weeks ago. <Very good. Patience is your ally. If I could change anything about the way I went about starting my tank, it would be to run it fishless for at least 6 months.>
Current Stats
Temp = 81 deg f
Salin =  1.023/24
PH    =   8.4
NH4 =   0
NO2 =  0
NO3 =  0
Alk test kit is not quantitative but reads to the high side
All tests by Red Sea Marine Lab test kits but essentially verified by f/u at LFS. <Consider a better kit, like Salifert.>
  So I decided to add 5 snails, all whom are supposed to be grazers.  Four "Atlantic Grazers" ??? which are nickel size pyramidal snails that resemble Cerith snails <Almost certainly Astraea from the Atlantic.> and 1 "Teakwell"??? <Never heard this term> snail that is a much larger pyramidal form snail that I suspect is a species of Turbo snail. <sounds likely> LFS did not know such things as scientific names. <They often don't--what a shame.> Placed snails in the tank in different areas after standard acclimation procedure <remember that all invertebrates need a longer acclimation than fish. They are much more osmotically brittle.> (all acclimation water discarded).  Within 4 to 5 hours the turbo type was on the front glass hanging out just beneath the water line cruising around the perimeter of the tank.  On the following day two of the Cerith types were on the glass doing the same thing.  One of the other is on the rock and another is on the substrate.  My concern is with the guys on the glass at the W/L.   They move to an fro but appear to stay near the W/L. I am wondering why they are behaving in this manner. Any thoughts would be appreciated. A struggling neophyte. Keith <Most of the marine snails sold as grazers live near the surface in nature, and some actually need to be out of the water for some period of time each day. Just make sure it's difficult for them to actually get out of the tank. As long as they don't, they'll find their way back to the water. Probably the biggest problem you'll have with these pyramidal-shape snails is their inability to right themselves if the fall on their backs in your sand. I check my tank daily and use and aquarium tong to right the upside-down ones before the starve or get eaten by some opportunist looking for a hapless/vulnerable meal. There is a series of useful articles about grazing snails in the online mag www.reefkeeping.com starting with the May 04 issue.>

Snails On The Run? 
Most all my Turbo, Cerith and Nassarius snails are climbing to the top of my tank, right at the water line, and staying there. Is that normal or is there a problem with my water? I have stuff, debris on the sand from the live rock and I want my critters munching on that stuff, will they? 
<Well, the snails that you mention are generally feeders on algae and some organic detritus. If the "stuff" that you are referring to falls into this category, these animals will generally eat these items> 
The hermit crabs are on the rock and the snails are at the surface??!? 
<Well, depending upon the types of hermit crabs that you have- this could be the reason that the snails are at the surface! Some crabs can aggressively pick at and harass snails. On the other hand, do run some basic water tests to assure that water quality is up to par.> 
Its very hard to vacuum the sand because the sand is so fine plus it circulates and eventually ends up under rock with is also hard to vacuum (the debris that is ((is that detritus?)) ) 
<Sounds like you're talking about detritus here!> 
Thanks, Mark 
<You're welcome, Mark. I'd observe the tank a bit more closely, to see if your snails have been harassed or preyed upon by other creatures in the tank. Again, do check those water parameters to verify that everything is in line...Good luck! Regards, Scott F.>

Why do snails die upside down on sand? and ID of clear fuzzy stuff 4/9/04 
Hey guys, 
<cheers, Kevin> 
Hope your having a great day, I am. 
<very good to hear. I will be too once the hula girls and dwarves arrive> 
I have a 75 gal tank with 80 lbs of live rock its been up and running since January. Ammonia 0, Nitrite 0 and Nitrate 0. Temp 77 - 80. you know the basics. I have a 20 gal sump with skimmer and Mag filter with carbon. I have 2 O. Clown, 1 Royal Gramma, 1 Six Line Wrasse, Cleaner Shrimp and clean up crew of snails, crabs and 1 star fish. They are all doing very well, except for dumb snails that fail upside down and die before I find them. 
<this is a species selection mistake... you clearly have Astraea Turbo snails (from the Atlantic rocky habitats and unable to survive on fine/soft substrates). Instead, what you need is Turban species (AKA Mexican Turbos) of turbo snails from the Pacific which can easily right themselves from soft substrates. Do let your merchant know this to help them to help others> 
But, Lately I have had this clearish white fuzz growing on my rock, what is it? My snails eat it fine but would like to know what it is. Thanks for you ideas? Kevin 
<it's tough for me to say from such a brief and general description. If you can send a clear and close photo, I can likely ID it. In the meantime, please do use/browse our wetwebmedia.com archives for algae FAQs, images and articles. Anthony>

Spawning Snails?
Hello and thank you for your help. I have an urgent question. In my 280 gallon reef I have perhaps 25 or more Astrea snails. They appear to be mass spewing, some letting out clouds of smoky (sperm?) and others pumping there bodies and releasing clouds of small white dots (eggs) The water is clouding. Will this continue (its evening- tank is in office- Am heading home) Will it hurt the other inverts and fish? Will babies come of it? How hasty should I be In doing a water change and how common is such an event? (Am hoping it is an event lol) thank you again. Brian
<Well, Brian, Strombus and Turbo spawning events are becoming more common all of the time, and Astrea are known to have done this, too. It is still not an everyday event, and well worth documenting and recording the event for future reference. Generally, the release of gametes will not degrade water quality, but it is certainly worth keeping an eye on it. In theory, the gametes released by these animals during the spawning can serve as a form of plankton for your filter feeders.  If water quality appears to be suffering, then by all means, accelerate your water change schedule. Otherwise, just follow your normal schedule. It's unlikely that many of the young will appear, but you never know...Keep an eye on things- good luck! Regards, Scott F.>

Snails leaving their shells: check water quality! 12/14/03
Hello guys,  First let me tell you how much I love the site.  I have spent many, many hours cruising the vast knowledge contained here.  I always find the answers I am looking for to help me be more successful in my aquarium husbandry practices.  
<ahh, good to hear>
But I have one that has stumped me and I can't find any postings with the answer I am looking for. My snails seem to be leaving their shells and the Cerith snails that have kept their shells are trying to climb out of the tank.  It seems as if there is something irritating them that they are trying to get away from.
<quite likely a water quality issue... do consider a large water change ASAP. Amy change in sea salt brand recently?>
My first thought was that some parasite had gotten in the shell and was pushing them out.  
<not likely at all>
This first started when I had a run in with jacked up calcium and alkalinity levels.  The calcium reached upwards of 600 and alkalinity fell to 6.  I don't care to expand on the cause of this but it was due to my misunderstanding of the use of Kalkwasser.  I chalk it up to a definite learning experience.  I have corrected this problem and now Ca is at about 450 and alk is at 8-9 (seems a little high considering the Ca level but I have not had a snow storm or anything).  All of my water parameters seem to be within the specs. I don't know if the calcium levels were just so high that it wasn't useable to the snails, which in turn would not allow the shell to grow with them.
<hmmm... more likely just the stress of extreme and fluctuating water quality>
Other than being shell-less the snails seem to be quite healthy, and the Ceriths reproduce frequently. If you have any more suggestions let me know.  Thank you for your time. Travis Hunt addicted reefer.
<at this point... stable water quality is key. I strongly suspect that there is no pathogenic or parasitic concern here. Anthony>

Parasitic snails stuck to Marine Turbo 12/3/03
I've attached a photo of one of my snails against the Plexiglas.  A couple of these snails ( Turbo ? ) have tiny shells attached to their shells.  Could these be yet another type of snail living on my snail.  
<arghh... these are parasitic snails preying on your larger Gastropods>
I doubt that these snails have enough maternal instinct to carry there young around.  I am so confused.
<they are clearly parasitic to me. Manually remove the small snails when you see them with tweezers. They will wane in time>
Thanks,  Edward.
<best regards, Anthony>

Coris wrasse on pyramidellid snails
hey, thanks for answering my question.  By the way, I have another question.. I hope you will answer it to. How good is Coris gaimard in eating pyramidellid snails? Do you know its rate of feeding? per minute or per hour? if you don't know, I hope you can give me an approximate. I'm just curious. Thanks to all of you! more power! God Bless! <raf>
< again coris wrasse not your best choice for removing the snail. coris wrasse may eat them  but not for sure. Better off with sixline or fourline Later MikeH>

- Gastropod Problems -
Mr. Fenner,
I am experiencing serious problems on my way to completing my 400G reef tank. This is not my first but will be my last project as far as aquaria. My main symptom to the problem is that I can keep any gastropod alive, these include 2 Queen conch, Astrea, Margarita and bumblebee snails (usually die within hours of introduction. Physical failure appears to occur during acclimation while slowly mixing tank water with shipping water. They just start to freeze). What does survive and thrive are my fish, P. Asfur, Queen Angel, Blueface Angel (in 50 gallon refugium, even 400 gallon wont hold 3 large Angels. He will eventually find his way to my 150 gallon that is being slowly transferred to the 400.), Potter's Angel, Clown Tang, Vlamingi Tang, True percula pr, Nigripes Clown pair, small shoal of green Chromis', and a small shoal of Highfin cardinals, 3 scarlet shrimp, many hermit crabs, microfauna including featherdusters, a toadstool leather frag (from 150 gal), a brain coral (from 150 gal), and a newly introduced Maxima (life expectancy undetermined). Hardware include PS (Euroreef) UV, Calcium Reactor, DSB over a plenum in a 50 gallon sump, 2x250 10K Ushio, 4 x175 12K. I also use regular Kent Mag, Iodine and strontium supplements.
I must confess the following. I started the tank with freshwater straight from the tap 9 weeks ago, but use RO for top off and changes. Uncured live rock was cured in the display tank... needless to say this wasn't a pleasant experience for the eyes and the nose especially in the living room. A knock-off brand salt called "Nautilus" was initially mixed but I now have switched to Tropic Marin (only one water change in). The salesman assured me it was "just like Instant Ocean." Other deviations from my past include using Rubbermaid tubs for both sump and refugium, and some "Black/Moon" sand for aesthetics. Also used white and clear silicon from home depot to help seal pvc piping (but have used successfully in the past.)
I have run a PolyFilter and have seen no tell tale signs for chemical toxins... the filter changes from white to beige to brown. PH seems normal 8.2 to 8.4. Temperature 80. Eventually I hope to complete the tank with SPS, but will remain patient along the way. What toxic conditions might I have with this tank? Even the dreaded C. retrogemma introduced from the live rock transferred from my 150 gallon tank cant survive. I do believe I may still have some small ammonium levels, but nothing the PolyFilter has detected. What gives? What should I do?
Sincerely,
DD
<Well... a couple of things come to mind. First, as much as I like PolyFilters, I wouldn't rely on them as indicators for the presence of nitrogenous wastes. If you think you have ammonia or nitrites, use a test kit - be certain. Next, I'm not at all familiar with Nautilus brand salt but have used Tropic Marin for many years without issue. While I have no real proof, I'd be willing to lean in the direction of the salt as the source of your gastropod problems, although there is another possibility that I'll touch on in a sec. It's actually not that easy to produce salt, and many of the lesser players have problems with consistency from batch to batch. You've done the wise thing by going to one of the brands that is well known for its consistency, Instant Ocean would be my second choice. It's going to take many water changes to get the Tropic Marin in as the primary salt in your tank, and I wouldn't do this via any large changes so take your time. You should be able to try again in a couple of months. So... there is also the possibility that the source of these gastropods is suspect - perhaps they don't acclimate well there, perhaps they have a bad supply - there are a couple of possibilities here, but it's really hard to be 100% conclusive about what the problem might be. As I mentioned, try again after you've got all the salt swapped out and see how it goes from there.
Cheers, J -- >

Crop Circles on Turbos?
>I picked up 4 large turbo snails and I noticed that they had 20 - 40 small white circles on their back.  Whenever they rub up against any of the live rock, they leave behind some of these "things".  I called the pet store and they stated that they could either be eggs or worms - but whatever it was would not affect the rest of my tank.  Can you give me any more information that that.  They are not on the snail, only the shell, and all 4 snails seem very active.  I'd appreciate any input you can give me.  I just found your site about 2 weeks and can't believe how much information is on here, but didn't seem to find anything regarding these egg/worms spots.  Thanks much,  Liz
>>I wish I could tell you something definitive about these mysterious circles, Liz, but I can't.  My own first guess would be that if the snails appear to be rubbing their shells on purpose they might be depositing young, but I don't think they're eggs.  I rather bad thought is some sort of odd parasitic infection, parasites are known to make animals behave in some truly bizarre ways, but again, I would be speaking from a position of complete ignorance.  I suggest posting on our forums http://www.wetwebfotos.com/talk or on reefs.org forums.  There seem to be quite a few folks who have this snail-breeding thing down, and they may have better information than I.  Marina

Possible Coralline Orange Lethal Disease? 3/7/03
Greetings crew,
<Howdy>
I have an Astraea snail who's purple coralline turned bright orange within 24 hours and is now fading to white.
<a simple bleaching event. This snail was either caught out of water during some water exchange/drain event, or the water quality (Ca/ALK levels) in the tank have degraded and stressed the corallines>
I have not been able to find much info on C.L.O.D. but Am afraid that's what it might be.
<rest assured, this is a simple bleaching event. CLOD is rare in the wild, let alone the hobby. See a little bit of info here:
http://www.geology.iupui.edu/classes/g130/reefs/IWO_174.htm
excerpted:
"Reef building algae and coral reef ecology have re-cently been found under attack by a previously unknown disease. Coralline lethal orange disease, known as CLOD, is caused by a bright orange bacterial pathogen that is lethal to the encrusting red algae (corallines) that deposit calcium carbonate on the reefs. These algae cement to-gether sand, dead algae, and other debris to form a hard, stable substrate. CLOD was initially found in 1993 in the Cook Islands and Fiji; by 1994 it had spread to the Solomon Islands and New Guinea; by 1995 it was found over a 6000 km (3600 mi) range of the South Pacific. No one knows whether it has been recently introduced from some obscure location or whether it has been present on the reefs but has now evolved into a more virulent form."
Would it be a good idea to remove this snail just to be safe?
<not necessary... the problem is not likely the snail at all. Do check your calcium and alkalinity levels... likely one has strayed low. Else, a recent sudden influx of fresh evaporation water near the snail could have stressed the corallines. Still the most common cause is a water change when you leave the reef lights on (bad! for corallines) which bleaches them with the sudden increase in light without the diffusion of water. The snail was perhaps high on the glass unnoticed>
Thanks Emerson
<best regards, Anthony>

Snail shell shedding
>I have a large turbo snail that I noticed this morning had somehow shed its shell but is still feeding. although looking very bizarre it seems fine. why is this?
>>So, you're saying that it's basically now a naked snail?  I have *never* seen this...it's not like they go and pick up a new one.
>I have a 55 gallon tank with live rock 15 hermits 2 sand-sifting starfish a white spot sea urchin 10 mixed snails some soft coral and mushy rock and an algae blenny.
>>Have any of the hermits taken over the Turbo's shell?  What do you mean by "mushy rock"?  Is it a sponge?  I don't think it has *anything* to do with the snail losing its shell, though.  How odd.
>Temp is 80 degrees, Ca s 400-429, ph is 8.2-8.4.  thanks, Adam England
>>Well, Adam, you've gone and stumped me here.  I've seen Turbos lose their shells, but either something TOOK it, or they're sick and ready to die (if not dead already).  Marina

Sudden Nerites Death Syndrome - 4/15/03
Hello WWM crew. <(2010 HAL voice) Good morning Dave. Ha! I always wanted to say that! Just like HAL......Gosh, I am a nerd. Anyway, I'll just say my name is Bob Fenner.....not Paul Mansur Hehehheeee> Before I go any further, I'd like to thank you for the excellent job you guys do....this website has proven to be an invaluable resource for me. <Glad to hear it. That is why we do what we do. Thank you for validating us>  Now onto my question.  I have a couple of Nerites snails, and they appear to be dying slowly, and I'm completely stumped on this one.  I also have a couple keyhole limpets and a bumblebee snail (which are doing fine, I might add), so I really am quite unsure of what could be causing this.  My tank params are as follows-am-0, nitrite-0, nitrate-<10ppm, KH-9, CA-380. <