can a 2 inch puffer eat a quarter sized nerite snail?

I added a very large nerite snail to my freshwater puffer's tank to help with the algae temporarily. Now it is missing. I know that puffers eat snails, but I figured this large snail was plenty big to be safe from this small puffer. At least for a while. But my puffer must have eaten all of him. Because his shell is nowhere to be found. Can a less than two inch freshwater twin spot puffer puffer stretch its mouth big enough to eat something that size? I am shocked. I have watched him eat before, his mouth doesn't get very big at all. But I have never fed him anything that large. He has had some pretty huge pieces of frozen krill....but he doesn't open his mouth and swallow it whole. He munches on it.....So how on earth was he able to eat a nerite snail that big? and leave nothing behind? I am still holding out hope that my nerite snail is in there somewhere. But I feel like I have looked everywhere.

 

The nerite probably climbed out of the tank and is somewhere around the stand, but could be on the other side of the room. They frequently leave tanks and go for trips, especially if they don't like the water or are threatened.

 

it possile, perhaps not gulp it down but I'm sure some shell piece would be laying around the tank. since the puffer would chip at the shell.

 

The nerite probably climbed out of the tank and is somewhere around the stand, but could be on the other side of the room. They frequently leave tanks and go for trips, especially if they don't like the water or are threatened.

This particular tank has a full hood/canopy so I am not sure he could escape it. I have a lot of nerite snails in all my tanks. I have seen them crawl into the filter and such, but I have never had one escape... even in tanks with an open top. This snail was not a new snail either. He had been living in one of my other tanks for a year. Bummer either way.

it possile, perhaps not gulp it down but I'm sure some shell piece would be laying around the tank. since the puffer would chip at the shell.

There must be pieces of shell in there somewhere and I am just not seeing them. I feel bad. At least the puffer got a good treat I guess.....But wow. I just did not think it would be an issue.

 

well I have a figure 8 and looks like you have a freshwater twin spot puffer puffer which is basically the same tempter, AGGRESSIVE. I'm sure that might have happen. I know my figure 8 kills anything in the tank. so snails that size I would be interested to see get chopped down to nothing

 

well I have a figure 8 and looks like you have a freshwater twin spot puffer puffer which is basically the same tempter, AGGRESSIVE. I'm sure that might have happen. I know my figure 8 kills anything in the tank. so snails that size I would be interested to see get chopped down to nothing

I would also be very interested in seeing how he pulled it off!! I am aware of the aggressiveness of course...which is why there are no other inhabitants in the tank, but I thought this snail would be ok based on his size. At least for a little while.

I learned a hard lesson, but at the same time......its the circle of life!! So I am bummed about my snail (even though I have tons of nerites lol) but I am glad my puffer got a fun treat I guess.

 

I found the nerite snail! He's just fine! Yay! I hadn't seen it for days!

 

I would like to see a picture of these snails.

 

I found the nerite snail! He's just fine! Yay! I hadn't seen it for days!

Glad you found it! I have the exact opposite problem. My nerite snails don't seem to move often, lol. They apparently find a place they like (such as on my driftwood) and settle down for several days.

 

This is the one I added to the puffer tank.... The trail behind him is neat!



The don't just clean flat surfaces! Lol I thought this was really really cool.

 

that's some nice snails you got there. snailed it!!!

 

With a baby dwarf blue crayfish...this ones shell is a little messed up....but it's only cosmetic....

 

My nerites "disappear" sometimes as well. IMO, they're the greatest snail for most Freshwater tanks. I have found the smaller horned ones don't leave the eggs behind and can get into smaller crevices.

As for the puffer, nerites have pretty tough shells, so smaller puffers most likely won't try to crush them. But they can pick at them and even get chunks, and then the snail dies. Luckily nerites don't protrude from their shells very much, unlike an apple snail. Plus I believe they have that trapdoor feature as well. Just be careful if your snail falls on its back and exposes itself.