The Puffer Forum

. . . but he doesn't look too happy. In fact, he hasn't moved since I've put him in. I know snails don't exactly rush but he's been still for a few hours.

Is he dead?

The F8s seem to want to know too. They are very curious but haven't tried to attack him yet!

I've moved him from the sand onto a bit of bogwood and he has moved. Seems much happier now!

I hope they don't have an aversion to sand!

The snail will most likely be inactive during the day, so it doesn't expose its flesh to the puffer, and more active at night.

Did you acclimate the snail to the (I'm assuming the snail came from a different salinity) new salinity? If so, how long?

The Fisherman wrote:Did you acclimate the snail to the (I'm assuming the snail came from a different salinity) new salinity? If so, how long?

Yes, I acclimated him. He's now fine by the way. Guess he was just shy! He's now roaming around as fast as his "legs" will carry him!

Good to hear hes doing alright now!

I asked about acclimating because i've heard of people not acclimating nerites, and the snails just "clam up" (Pun somewhat intended...even though they are not clams I still find it funny ) for a few days. Almost like a "jet lag" while they are getting used to the new salinity.

I don't acclimate the snails that go into the tank for feeding the F8s - I figure they aren't going to stay around long enough to worry.

But the nerite is quite an interesting looking chap and I want him to do well.

The F8s know he's a snail but I don't think they can believe how big he is - it's quite funny!

Nerites are the only things I've been able to keep with most of my puffers, as their foot is so small the puffers can't really get to them. Not even the DPs.

Should I supplement his food with cucumber, lettuce etc. or will the algae suffice?

Depends on how much algae there is. Supplementing is always good IMO.

Would a nerite be adaptable to about SG 1.012? If so, I may have to get shakespeare a tankmate, he has SHEETS of algae waiting to be food...

I'm not sure, sounds a bit too high to me.

It isn't really likely that you'll be able to get rid of a vast amount of algae with snails. You have to remember that you will increase the bio-load by putting snails in the tank, this will contribute to algae growth.

Introducing a 2-hour period in the middle of the day where the lights are off kept the algae under control in my brackish tank. It might work for you too, especially if there are no / few plants.

kjharve wrote:It isn't really likely that you'll be able to get rid of a vast amount of algae with snails. You have to remember that you will increase the bio-load by putting snails in the tank, this will contribute to algae growth.

I have 6 olive nerites in my 38 gallon brackish tank, and I have to agree here. While they do help a small bit with the algae, I still end up cleaning myself..

Yes, nerites would be perfect, if you pick the right species. Quoting from something I just wrote for Wet Web Media...

True brackish water nerite snails include the olive nerite (Vitta usnea), the Virginia nerite (Neritina virginea), and the zebra nerite (Puperita pupa). Though often sold as freshwater snails, they will in fact do much better in brackish water, ideally between SG 1.005 and full strength seawater. There are a variety of true freshwater nerites sold (mostly unidentified) and while they won't tolerate high levels of salinity, they will probably do well in low salinity brackish water (SG 1.005 or less). Nerites are excellent algae eaters, and the zebra nerite in particular is one of the few snails that seems happy to eat blue-green algae.

With the Latin names you can find pictures of these snails easily, and check on what's available at your local store. These three species are distinctive, so are unlikely to be muddled up with anything else.

Cheers, Neale

Nick wrote:Would a nerite be adaptable to about SG 1.012? If so, I may have to get shakespeare a tankmate, he has SHEETS of algae waiting to be food...

I have full saltwater nerites and man are they beautiful. Every snail has a different pattern on its shell, just gorgeous.

They are always grazing my glass, never the rockwork though.. so I don't know just how good of algae eaters they really are. Then again, my rocks are covered in hair algae, which they just might not like. I would get a few and see how they do, you don't have to get a ton.