I Can't Tell If My Mystery Snail Is Dead Or Not.

Hello all,

Brand new to the forum!

My tank is about a month old. About 2-3 weeks ago we got a mystery snail for our tank. For the first week or so she was doing great, very active. A little over a week ago I noticed one of my fish had some white spots and determined it was ich. I raised the temperature in increments and everyone has been doing great, no casualties.

However, I noticed at this time the snail stopped moving. For the first few days I wasn't concerned and figured she was sleeping. However it has now been a week and a couple days without movement. I put her in a separate container of water on Saturday and she still has not moved. She doesn't smell good by any means... but it's not unbearably the worst smell I've ever smelled like people make it out to be when a snail is dead. On top of this, the trapdoor is very hard and very sealed, she isn't "falling out of her shell" like many insist a dead snail will do. However she does not react AT ALL when I touch or gently tug the trap door.

My gut tells me she's dead. I'm 99% sure she is. But I don't want to dispose of her if there's the slight chance she's alive! Any info anyone might have would be greatly appreciated.

 

It's not pretty but the easiest way to tell is to smell it. You'll know the differnce between live snail smell and dead snail smell right off the bat.

 

Just change the water every day until you know for sure. If she's in a separate container she can't hurt other tank mates. If she's gone it won't be long before you know it- it won't be pretty because she'll kind of explode, but you'll know for sure. Put a piece of spinach out for her and put her right on top of it. If she's alive that might lure her out.

 

Just change the water every day until you know for sure. If she's in a separate container she can't hurt other tank mates. If she's gone it won't be long before you know it- it won't be pretty because she'll kind of explode, but you'll know for sure. Put a piece of spinach out for her and put her right on top of it. If she's alive that might lure her out.

Is it possible for her to die and not come out of her shell? I'm fairly certain she's dead.

 

Dead mystery snails smell really, really terrible. You'd know for sure if it had been dead for more than a day. If you can't pull it out of its shell, I'd guess it's still alive. It's definitely odd that it hasn't moved in over a week, though. Perhaps it's in some sort of hibernation stage?

 

Okay, thanks. That's the thing freaking me out, she hasn't moved in so long so I have to assume she's dead yet she doesn't smell like everyone claims she should... she doesn't smell good, but it's not unbearable. Then again, maybe I just have a good smell tolerance? I'm so confused. I've put her in the garbage and taken her back out twice now, I'm so paranoid.

 

Is it possible for her to die and not come out of her shell? I'm fairly certain she's dead.

Not for long, unless the water is really, really cold eventually the bacteria naturally inside her gut will begin to consume her, then they will produce gas, and she'll expand, coming out of her shell. It could be that she's sick, and may die, but not dead yet. If that's the case there's a remote chance she'll recover- very remote. I'd just let her be, make sure she has fresh water and food available if that one in a million thing happens, and if not, you'll know. In my experience I've never seen a snail die and not eventually pop out of its shell.

 

Leave her in separate cup of water . Your nose may be sensative istead of tolerant.

 

How high did you increase the temp to handle the ich? She may just be unhappy because it's too hot. Also, are you taking her out of the water to smell her, or sniffing the cup? Water does an amazing job of masking the smell of dead snail (thank god!).

 

I used to float snails I weren't quite sure or dead yet in a bag in the tank for a day or two if they move great I'll put them right back in the tank if they didn't then I do the sniff test trust me in two days if they're dead you will know!

 

How high did you increase the temp to handle the ich? She may just be unhappy because it's too hot. Also, are you taking her out of the water to smell her, or sniffing the cup? Water does an amazing job of masking the smell of dead snail (thank god!).

I increased it slowly to 85 degrees over a few days. And yes I'm taking her out of the water. She's pretty smelly, but I dunno. I've also had her sitting in a cup of cooler water with veggies for a few days (changing out the water and replacing the veggies) and nothing has happened.

 

So is she dead?? Mine went into a "food coma" for about 4 days. My other one doesn't move until the light is off and then floats the day away.

 

So is she dead?? Mine went into a "food coma" for about 4 days. My other one doesn't move until the light is off and then floats the day away.

Yes, she was dead. I used a toothpick to gently pry her out and barely any of her was left. What was left was very grey and mushy and then the smell hit me... awful. I think she wasn't "falling out" of her shell because there was a small space between the closed trap door and the shell where air was escaping. Unfortunately she was probably dead since my instincts told me she was - about two weeks ago - but I didn't want to dispose of a live snail by accident.

 

Awww I'm sorry. That sucks

 

I'm sorry for your loss.