So, I have a minor mystery on my hands. I just pulled out a pond snail shell from my tank that was completely empty. It's pretty translucent and I can see that there's nothing in it. Any ideas as to what happened to the guy? He lived in a tank that has a small school of gold pristella tetra (who tend to ignore the snails), two emerald catfish and a ghost shrimp. There are about 8 or so other pond snails in the tank who appear healthy.
Empty Snail Shell?
- Thread starter iapetus
- Start date
Eh...this is pretty common, not a real big mystery. If more of your snails died then you may have an issue...but if you keep an eye out for ammonia spikes, shouldn't be any issues. Your scavengers/bottom feeders (other snails, shrimp and catfish) probably made pretty quick work of him after he died, probably just of natural causes.
Interesting, FroggyFox. Thanks for the reply! I didn't realize that whoever is eating the remains could have cleaned out the shell that well. (It was totally empty!)
As it turns out, I found a second empty snail shell in the tank.
I don't think it's really a cause for worry. There are plenty of other happy snails and two happy ghost shrimp in there (I did lose a couple of other shrimp recently, but I suspect other causes). But, I'll be sure to monitor the snails' condition, as usual.
As it turns out, I found a second empty snail shell in the tank.
I don't think it's really a cause for worry. There are plenty of other happy snails and two happy ghost shrimp in there (I did lose a couple of other shrimp recently, but I suspect other causes). But, I'll be sure to monitor the snails' condition, as usual.
Yeah, as you're probably aware, Lotus, this topic has come up before. I don't think my ghost shrimp killed them. They may well have eaten (and likely did eat, I think) the remains. But, I don't think they killed them.
My own suspicion is that not all ghost shrimp are created equal; and, that people refer to different shrimp by the same name. The ghost shrimp I have are very opportunistic eaters, but they're very peaceful and unaggressive.
Still, thanks for both of your replies!
(PS - If I do observe one of my shrimp attack a snail, I will post back!)
My own suspicion is that not all ghost shrimp are created equal; and, that people refer to different shrimp by the same name. The ghost shrimp I have are very opportunistic eaters, but they're very peaceful and unaggressive.
Still, thanks for both of your replies!
(PS - If I do observe one of my shrimp attack a snail, I will post back!
)
a few months ago i started noticing empty shells in my tank. I have a minor snail infestation and heard that some snails will consume each other but for the most part the shells were a mystery..until i actually saw a ghost shrimp attack and eat a live snail!!! now there are several shells on the sand floor which isn't a problem with me since it keeps the snail population under control . I also have about a dozen ghost shrimp in my 20 gal. hope that helps!!
. I also have about a dozen ghost shrimp in my 20 gal. hope that helps!!
a few months ago i started noticing empty shells in my tank. I have a minor snail infestation and heard that some snails will consume each other but for the most part the shells were a mystery..until i actually saw a ghost shrimp attack and eat a live snail!!! now there are several shells on the sand floor which isn't a problem with me since it keeps the snail population under control . I also have about a dozen ghost shrimp in my 20 gal. hope that helps!!
. I also have about a dozen ghost shrimp in my 20 gal. hope that helps!!
But, I still refuse to think of my ghost shrimp as being mean.