Applesnails digging in gravel

[Gramma]

:snail: Does anyone elses Applesnails dig in the gravel? They go right down under. At first I thought I was seeing things. It kept moving until it was totally sumerged. I had no idea that they would do that. I use Flourite in that tank and I wonder if that is why.

[Melody]

They can aestivate in the wild if the temp changes or food is scarce. I'm sure food isn't scarce in your tanks...lol...is the tank heated? Maybe they're noticing a drop in temp? Otherwise, they may do it if they're being picked on and need a peaceful place to 'sleep'. Mine hide in plants at all levels when there's fish in the tank.

I don't have substrate that allows for them to bury themselves so I don't know how typical it is in captivity. Interesting observation!

[Gramma]

Food is certainly not scarce.:laugh: The tank is heated to 80. They do not appear to being picked on much, only occasionly. The Red Ramshorns sleep in the plants and so did they in the 6 gallon with the larger size gravel. Either they think there is something really good to eat down there or they want to be snuggled in with a blanket. :rofl: After all winter, I do not really want to say that word, is on its way.

[Pamelajo]

The spixis always did it with the gravel. I changed their tanks to sand awhile ago, but just noticed the brigs doing it recently. Not sure if it was before or after I turned on the heaters. Mine are in with only shrimp, maybe it is just a seasonal thing. Won't use that bad word, don't want Mel glaring at me again.:smile:

[Gramma]

I have air conditioning so my heaters have to be on all year long. I've had Brigs before and never observed this. So when I get those Spixies from Pam next week, I will expect them to dig, will I? At that point I will move the Brigs back to the 6 gallon. I wonder what they will do then. Perhaps as you said, it is a seasonal thing OR maybe it is my new bright lighting. Maybe they are hinting for some sunglasses. :waycool: :rofl:

BTW, I have a bit of BBA since I got the new lighting. I am pruning the leaves with it. Do Spixies eat it?

[Pamelajo]

Yes expect the spixis to dig.
As for the BBA you are doing the right thing by pruning. I also use excel in my one tank to keep it under control, but it only has fish. It is not good for snails, from what I have heard.

[OldMan]

I have had brigs dig in the sand and completely bury themselves. I never did know why but they ended up being constantly bothered by the endlers in their tank so it may have been a defensive move as Melody suggested. It did remove them from the irritation of being picked at.

[Melody]

I knew I read something about this somewhere....

Do apple snails hibernate? Or are they active during the whole year?
A: Several snails of the genus Pomacea aestivate buried in the mud depending on the temperature and the amount of available food and water, whilst in other regions the same species are active during the whole year. So apparently it's not necessary for them to hibernate. Rather consider it as a survival strategy that's only used during difficult periods of scarcity.
http://www.applesnail.net/content/illustrations/buttons/vm_related.gif 'Ecology' (http://www.applesnail.net/content/ecology.php) section. ~Applesnail.net

[Gramma]

So do you think they are not getting enough to eat? That seems so unlikely. But maybe I should give them some Bottom Bites when I turn out the lights, so the fish will not get it. After all my fish are like little piglets. They graze all day. And with Bottom Bites, I am not so sure they will not eat in the dark. I will observe them for the next day or two, then move them back to the other tank and continue to observe.

Come to think of it, they should never go hungry as they are in a planted tank.

[CACAdmin]

They graze all day. And with Bottom Bites, I am not so sure they will not eat in the dark.
Your mollies will eat continuously, but they do go to sleep. So feeding Bottom Bites when you turn out the lights will give the snails the opportunity to graze without competition.

Come to think of it, they should never go hungry as they are in a planted tank.

Remember the snails will only dine on the dying vegetation so if you are always removing it, they won't have plant matter to dine on... only algae, leftover food and whatever food you feed.

[Melody]

I think they get a lot more leftovers than we'd care to admit exist when we feed :laugh: . I don't think that's it. Maybe they're just doing it because they can...lol. To truly be shutting down, they'd have to stay buried for awhile. Otherwise, I think the more likely cause would be to escape to a place to sleep where no fish bother them.