Hi Karen...just a follow up question

Question
QUESTION: I recently set up a little 3 gallon auarium.  I have five fish, three mollies and two small tiger fish.  I also had two apple snails.  Both were doing very well during the two weeks I have had them.  One was far more active than the other, he/she was spectacular to observe.  It would come way out of its shell exposing all of its strange little parts and ate quite well. The other was active and seemed healthy as well.  Two days ago, I noticed that one of them seemed unusually lethargic and looked sickly.  It was completely closed up in its shell for a while and then opened about 1/4 of an inch and after a while was obviously dead.  The other snail was still active and healthy. Today, I changed about half of the water in the small aquarium, using water that I had let sit out for about 24 hours.  I do not know if this is a coincidence or not but my beautiful, active, happy snail took on the same symptoms of the one that died two days ago.  I have taken him out of the aquarium and he is in a jar by himself. He is now about 1/4 inch out of his shell and not moving at all.  I fear he is dead also.  Can you tell me what I have done wrong?  I hate to have anything in my care die like that and feel terrible, particularly since they were at one time so active and happy.  Thank you so much for your time and response.   Mary

ANSWER: Hi Mary,
I think a huge part of your problem is the size of your aquarium and the stocking levels. A 3-gallon with that many fish plus when it had two snails is very overstocked and pollution problems would be constant. I would work on trying to get your fish moved into an inexpensive 10-gallon with a light, cover, filter and other simple accessories. Your fish and any new snails you keep will be so much better off.

For now you can change half the water in the tank at least every to every other day.

~Also I thought I'd mention this even though its a weird thing to say but sometimes snails can appear dead, but they really aren't. Snails will close their "door" for long periods sometimes and they also sometimes rest with part of their bodies peeking out from the shell. A truly dead snail is one where you pick the shell up and the body is completely limp with no signs of movement. Usually their soft bodies come unnaturally too far out of the shell. Dead snails will almost immediately start smelling too. :(

I really hope this helps and best wishes!
Karen~

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Dear Karen,  

Thanks so much for your speedy and informative reply. I had no idea that 5 fish would be too much for this tank.  It does have a filter, light and the light partially covers it.  The temp remains about 78/79 degrees.  How many fish can go into a ten gallon tank?  My snail is in a separate container and has his "door" partially open and I think he is dead but will keep him until I am sure of it.  I thought I had caused their demise by changing the water but was so careful to let it sit out for 24 hours before putting it in.  Like I said in my first question, this particular snail was SO active and fascinating to watch.  Always on the go and would come a good bit out of his shell.  Maybe he will pull through.  The water always looks very clean and my fish seem happy and healthy.  It just seems the snails went from very well to so sick so quickly.  Thanks again, Karen, for your response to my first question and to these last few.  I really appreciate it. ;)  Mary

Answer
Make sure you use water conditioner everytime you do a water change or add new water to your tank. There are chlorine and chloramines in your tap water as well as heavy metals which can be very harmful to snails and fish. Stress coat, Amquel+, Prime, and other water conditioners are all suitable.

It sort of depends upon the maintenance schedule and the type of fish you are actually keeping when you are trying to decide how many fish can into a 10 gallon. You can look here for some ideas on stocking suggestions for a ten gallon and this should help-
http://www.fishchannel.com/freshwater-aquariums/tankmate-tips/10-gallon.aspx?cm_

Best wishes and happy fishkeeping!
Karen~