When to remove motionless snails?

[Red Cahill]

I just got a shipment of livestock in. Most everything was fine and still is after 24 hours in the tank. I have 5 trochus snails that will not move though. They don't look completely drawn inside, but my gut says they're finished. My ammonia was at zero before I put everything in and now it's at .05. Should I just call it a day on these or wait it out a little longer? I also have 3 ceriths doing the same.

BTW-- I don't recommend buying from Reef Scavengers.com. The red mithrax crab they sent had only one claw. There were no cool packs in the uninsulated box in late july!!! And the email correspondence was also lacking. They have no phone number either. Next time I'm going with Live Aqauria or Saltwaterfish.com.

 

[scott058]

If they have not moved in over 24hrs. if it was me I'd get rid of them. 5 dead snails in a 22g tank might jack your water conditions.

 

[StevieTdrill]

Yes, remove them to prevent an increase in ammonia. Take them out and put them in a container to make sure they are not alive before you chuck em.

Did you properly acclimate them?

I had a good experience with reefscavengers, but I ordered in the fall last year.

 

[Red Cahill]

Acclimated, yeah...about an hour. Problem is they took the full three days transit time 2 states away. RS's policy not mine. Could've used insulation I think at this time of year. And the one-armed crab?!! That's total crap.

Anyways...questionable snails are now on the shelf. They smelled and when I rinsed them in a glass of tap water...out pops a little bristleworm from one of 'em. Cool shells though.

 

[StevieTdrill]

I agree that RS dropped the ball on shipping them to you. 3 days is way to long and the heat is a killer.

Boil the shells, save them for any hermits you may have or will have. Keeps them from killing a snail for a home.

 

[yankeereefer]

pull 'em out and give 'em a quick sniff - You'll know if they're dead

 

[RyanDragon]

pull 'em out and give 'em a quick sniff - You'll know if they're dead

I agreed, if they smell like crap, then it's dead, don;t put ur nose too close though, cause they smell like serious crap if they're dead.