Snails

[toy4x4]

First question, I went looking for Turbo Snails today and both LFSs did not have any. One store said they could not get them anymore. Anyone know what is going on there?

Second, when I asked for snails other than Turbos, one store mentioned they had some that could turn themselves over. I had never thought nor heard mention that snails could not right themselves. Was this BS or have I just never heard about it?

 

[Anonymous]

As far as I know you can still buy turbos, but I haven't bought any snails in a long while, so there may have been a new turbosnail development that slipped by me.

Second, when I asked for snails other than Turbos, one store mentioned they had some that could turn themselves over. I had never thought nor heard mention that snails could not right themselves. Was this BS or have I just never heard about it?

Some people say that astrea snails can't turn themselves over. I have had astrea snails for a few years and never noticed this, in fact I have seen mine right themselves on many occasion.

 

[grav]

I always have a "flipping stick" near my tank.

Some of it may have to do with your substrate. Large gravel gives enough for them to grab onto and turn over while on sand, they can't get a grip. Some say it has to do with under fed snails not having the strength.

I really don't know about not having turbo's, my guess is that could be a supplier issue, not that they have been wiped from the face of the earth.

 

[mooner]

Turbos have two feet where many other large snails have a single foot. This seems to enable the turbos to right themselves with ease. I too have to keep a stick handy to flip over the "less coordinated" non-turbos.

 

[DOGMAI]

I know the pyramid snails can not right themselves. As far as I know all other snails kept in the trade can right themselves. I have three different inds of snails and they all can flip back over in in just the sand.

 

[Anonymous]

I have noticed that astreas can't right themselves with only sand to grab on in some cases. Conchs no problem. Turbos I haven't noticed.

Our LFS seems to have had trouble with turbos lately, only getting a few at a time. They are the only snail that really eats hair algae, as far as I know.