Saving snail shells?

[aquadonkey]

I had a pretty snail die in my tank last night and I'm wondering what I can do to save the shell - put it in a cup with bleach maybe? What is the process before it goes back into the tank?
Thanks

 

[Conesus_Kid]

I just leave them in the tank. Bristle worms and hermits will clean them out for you.

 

[Piazzon12]

I just leave them in the tank. Bristle worms and hermits will clean them out for you.

+1 unless they are giants like mexican turbos whose decay would foul the water

 

[aquadonkey]

I don't have hermits - and I've only seen a couple bristle worms. Is it still a good idea to put it in the tank?
It's been out for about an hour and is kind of stinky.

 

[aquadonkey]

It's a tongan nassarius - so medium sized

 

[superkat]

editted......

if you don't have hermit crabs and have only seen a couple bristles...

toss it. don't risk the decay staying in the tank....

 

[aquadonkey]

Snail back in - and have already been dragged into the shrimp/goby cave.....

 

[superkat]

nom nom nom. forgot about the shrimp. LUNCHTIME!

 

[sg1838]

So are all of you recommending removing empty shells from the tank? I typically just leave them in there, especially with the hermit crabs. But, I don't like the thought of something "decaying" in my tank.

 

[superkat]

if you've got hermit crabs...shrimp...nature will take its course. i have never removed mine. my daughter's nano has a snail graveyard...kinda creepy..but the crabs drag them in there, munch away...pile 'em up. i think this is about as natural as it gets.

 

[EllieSuz]

It's a good idea to leave some empties for the hermits to occupy.

 

[aquadonkey]

Well..... my dead snail went back into the tank, and I don't have the option of pulling it out since it's inside the pistol shrimp burrow now. It's a little unsettling - I hope it gets cleaned out before it rots, but I think I will go ahead and test for ammonia later today and tomorrow just to be safe!
I don't have any hermits, and I'm sure there's a limit to how much one pistol can eat!

 

[talon4x4]

I would think that one dead snail isn't going to upset anything. I really can't see it causing a spike in ammonia either. But if you feel better testing, test and let us know what happens.