Don't pull the snails

[treesprite]

Well, there was a snail in my way last night and I went to pull it off. Some snails are tough to pull off, and to my dismay and the snail's demise, this one held so tight that when I pulled on it I pulled the shell off. I was hoping if I set it gently back into the shell it would somehow re-attach, or that it would start laying new shell material or something (I know nothing about snails) if nothing ate it first. I think it is still alive, out of it's shell, but it isn't really moving - I can see it's whisker things moving now and then, but maybe it's just the current doing it. I feel terrible for killing the snail (I am figuring if it isn't already dead it will probably be dead before I get home tonight) :( I guess I am simply going to have to work around snails from now on and let them knock stuff over if they go in a spot I don't want them near.

[icecool2]

Yeah, snails are not separable from their shells. I tend to do a slide and pull move. Gentle and steady pressure and they usually release.

[Amuze]

Snailocide! Next time, twist and pull. That will get them to release.

[treesprite]

Thanks for the life saving tips!

[trockafella]

nice thing about a rimless tank, just slide up and over the top. Bad thing, they also do it on there own.

[SunWyrm]

With the slide and move I also try to use my nails to coerce them to retract. Works great for stomatella snails too, just watch their bites. It only doesnt work on my largest banded trochus, but he's been with me since my first 15g so I'll just wait for him to move lol.

 

 

[chucelli]

Works great for stomatella snails too, just watch their bites.

 

your snails bite?

[SunWyrm]

You can't feel it, but they keeping grazing while on your fingers and leave little marks. I thought it was amazing - but others might not appreciate snail kisses.