Dying snails ticking time bomb?

About a year ago, my tank was full of pest snails mostly bladder snails. So, I bought 3 assassin snails to try to control them. They were very successful. They ate every single snail in the tank and then they disappeared. I found one of them dead a few weeks ago, probably from starvation, and removed it from the tank. There are still 2 of them in the tank probably buried in the gravel. I'm worried that their decomposing bodies might create an ammonia spike. It's a 29 gallon tank. Trying to find them is going to be a hassle. They're about half an inch long. What would you do? Look for them or not worry about it?

 

If this tank is cycled it should take care of the little bit of ammonia a couple of snail bodies will produce. Personally I wouldn't be concerned about it. I am sure you have read warnings about dead fish causing ammonia spikes but as I said, in a fully cycled tank that shouldn't happen. The bacteria should prevent a spike.

 

You could try to find them...It will probably be a chore since they go into the substrate. 2 half inch snails I dont think will raise your ammonia enough to even notice.

Ninja'd by mattgirl

 

I had assassins in one tank heavily populated with pests, until I wasn't seeing them, then gave away 9 of the 10 I had. I'd put a snail in there for it now and then from another tank to be sure it ate something. A couple months later 2 little ones came out of the substrate, so there are 3. When I'm not noticing many bladder or MTS snails, I add a few. I have wondered, would they feed on uneaten food at the bottom of the tank that corys miss? I don't think they eat algae at all, they need protein to live. I feed my corys shrimp pellets every day, I'm sure they could find some. But would that sustain them?

 

I feed my corys shrimp pellets every day, I'm sure they could find some. But would that sustain them?

yes and any worms in the substrate. I think they eat the worms before other snails - it's easier imo

be careful - my last blue mystery snail got ill really fast. I thought he'd be protected form the assassin in my 20 long, but fell ill with 24 hours. They were both in same area. I saw assassin after I removed my ill later dead mystery snail. I think the mystery snail was so passive, it did not fully retreat and then whelk dosed him with their poison.

he was dead within 24 hours (his insides sort of melted away, no control over trap door to retreat) and my other mystery snail who was on opposite side of tank was perfectly fine, so it was not parameters etc. It was the killing machine.