[anothernewbetta]

My new nerite (Madam Bovary) is in a 5.5 gallon cycled tank with my betta. I've had her for about a week. She spent the first three days in my 2g shrimp tank--very active, cleaned up all the algae--and then I dripped acclimated her to what I want to be her permanent home, the 5.5 g. She hasn't moved since.

Since she was transferred, she slithered up to the one inch space between the water line and the tank lid and has been there since--not moved an inch. 4 days seems long to be out of the water.

My betta ignores her utterly. My parameters are ammonia 0, nitrite zero, nitrate around 2ppm, pH around 7-7.2. Temp 82. Is my temp too hot? pH too hard? There is a wee bit of algae to clean but not much. I plan to feed her wafers to supplement.

What to do? Push her below the water line? Leave her be? I'd put her back in the shrimp tank but she messed with the parameters which I think is messing up my crystal red shrimp.

 

[SeaHorse]

My gut reaction is YES get her back in the water! But I did a Google search and they seem to be known for that. I'm hoping someone else with experience with Nerites specifically will post here for you! Snails DO tend to sleep at times for long periods too.

 

[anothernewbetta]

My gut reaction is YES get her back in the water! But I did a Google search and they seem to be known for that. I'm hoping someone else with experience with Nerites specifically will post here for you! Snails DO tend to sleep at times for long periods too.

Thanks for the response! She actually crawled just below the water line after I posted.

She's still at the very top of the tank though and there's no food for her in the tank. I can't think how to feed her if she never goes down to the bottom to collect her wafer.

Anybody have an idea of why she doesn't like the tank? The only thing I can think of is the high temp.

 

[Chesh]

Hey ANB! As Seahorse said, it's very common for Nerites to escape from the water, and their tanks.
They're 'tidal' snails, and my understanding is that they can actually live outside of the water, provided they're in a moist environment.
From what I've read, 79 is at the high end of their comfort range in temperature - so you may want to turn the heater back a bit if you can.
I *think* the ideal for them is around 71-79, so 82 is a bit warm. . . your Betta would be okay with a lower temp, too. Just be sure you dial it back slowly.
I believe your pH is within their range, which is somewhere around 6.5-8, if I'm remembering correctly.
Some say that they won't try to 'escape' if they're happy in a tank, but I'm not sure this is true. . .

 

[Austin]

I didn't realize above 79 was warm for nerites... I've been keeping mine at 80. Think they're okay. They've been (trying to breed) like crazy... Annoying eggs all over my driftwood! Mine often also stay at the top like they are trying to get out of the water. But the tank is so full they can only get about half way out. Maybe that's why... But they're fine. I did have one escape onto my carpet once...

 

[anothernewbetta]

Thanks! My heater is actually set to 74 in the hopes that I can cool the tank to around 78 but the house is hot and the tank goes to 80-82.

Anybody know of a way to cool the water besides floating ice which seems like a lot of upkeep.

Also to feed her, just drop in food and hope she eventually travels down for it?

 

[SeaHorse]

Thanks! My heater is actually set to 74 in the hopes that I can cool the tank to around 78 but the house is hot and the tank goes to 80-82.

Anybody know of a way to cool the water besides floating ice which seems like a lot of upkeep.

Also to feed her, just drop in food and hope she eventually travels down for it?

I wish I had that trouble!! We got another stupid load of snow yesterday... and it was -13C when I got up. So I shoot for 72 in the house if I can!! LOL

 

[Chesh]

I've never had the problem of trying to cool a smaller tank, either. Hopefully someone who has will pop in to offer suggestions, or you could start another thread? The only thing I can think of off-hand is perhaps keeping the lights off, if you have them?

Yeah, just drop it in - the snail should find them. . . if you have any living algae in your tank, the snail will likely go for that first, from what I've seen in my tanks.