Will Mystery Snails Eat Smaller Snails?

Hey everyone, my mystery snail (or at least what was sold to me as one) has been eating smaller snails in my tank. I only recently got it, about two weeks ago and just started noticing this a couple of days ago. It eats plants like crazy and any veggies I drop in as well. I don't mind it eating other snails but recently it has been acting strange. It has been in the same spot on the glass for a few hours now and hasn't moved, its antennas are curled up alongside/inside its shell. I am worried the ingesting of shells might have hurt it.

 

That doesn't sound like a mystery snail at all...
First, they don't hunt down and eat other snails. If you have something dead in your tank, they will make dinner of its carcass but that's it.
They also don't eat plants. Their larger cousin the apple snail will eat plant, but mystery snails will leave plants alone.
Can you post a picture to confirm it is a mystery snail?

PS. Welcome to Fishlore!

 

Hey thanks fjh! Its super weird, this guy will eat small snails all the time. I attached a picture, sorry about the quality, my phone's camera is busted so I had to take it with my laptop.

WIN_20190516_17_19_32_Pro

• DWW
• May 16, 2019

 

Hmm well that does appear to be the bottom side of a mystery snail.

What is the complete stocking of the tank and do you know the water parameters? My second guess would be something else is killing the snails (and possibly plants) and mystery snail is just being an opportunist.

 

I agree that something else is killing your snails first and he is just maybe eating them after, surely not the shells though! Mine will only eat plants if they are dying, like black leaves etc.

 

I don't have a test kit with me right now. I have guppies and corydoras in it right now. The snails are alive when he eats them. I have watched him do it, it happens quite often. ill keep an eye out and see if I can get a video or picture of it happening for you.

 

I agree that something else is killing your snails first and he is just maybe eating them after, surely not the shells though! Mine will only eat plants if they are dying, like black leaves etc.

The mystery snail (if that's what it is) chases them along the glass and eats them so the smaller snails couldnt be dead. its really a sight to see. ill have to get a video or picture

 

The mystery snail (if that's what it is) chases them along the glass and eats them so the smaller snails couldnt be dead. its really a sight to see. ill have to get a video or picture

That’s crazy, you have a murderer, lol. Definitely looks like a mystery from your photo.

 

I don't have a test kit with me right now. I have guppies and corydoras in it right now. The snails are alive when he eats them. I have watched him do it, it happens quite often. ill keep an eye out and see if I can get a video or picture of it happening for you.

That is so weird!! Honestly I've never heard of that before and now I'm going to be staring at my mystery snails to make sure they don't eat anything they shouldn't be >.>