Snails and OST

[echiang06]

Would it be safe to put some snails in a tank undergoing OST for the sake of keeping the sand bed clean? I have read repeatedly that hyposalinity is dangerous for invertebrates, but I also know that my snails sometimes aren't even in the water of my tank (right above the water level). Are snails very sensitive to the salt content, or are they okay living in a hyposaline environment? Thanks in advance for your responses.

-echiang06

 

[pagojoe]

Snail species' tolerance of salinity and hyposalinity vary greatly with the familiy and species. If you can find them in brackish water (i.e., littorinids, Neritina/Theodoxus species, etc.) they would probably do fine in a hyposaline environment. The sublittoral marine snails probably couldn't handle it for very long.

Cheers,


Don