"newbie" question about snails and murk

[Exmachina]

Greetings

I recently started a 10 gallon goldfish tank. It's got bottom rocks,
a charcoal filter, and a plant who's name I don't currently recall. 2
days ago I put in 2 very large snails, 3 inch diameter, (recommended
by petco fish guy :/)and things have taken an odd turn. I also have
1, 2" koi and a 2" orunga (brainfish).

When I first put the snails in, they were active, and went immediately
towards the walls of the tank, apparently healthy. Within 5 hours,
the tank took on an odd smell and started getting a little cloudy. I
figured this was due to the wide variety of funk on the snail shells,
and wasn't concerned.

Yesterday the snails began sloughing off portions of their feet, at
first I thought it was detritious, but now I'm not sure. The tank
continued to be cloudy and smelly, so I put in some clarifier and
replaced the filter.

Today, the problem continues, and I am unsure what to do. Does it
sound like the snails are diseased or is there some other problem?
What should I do?
Any advice is appreciated!


Thanks!

[Toni]

"Exmachina" > wrote in message
om...
> Greetings
>
> I recently started a 10 gallon goldfish tank. It's got bottom rocks,
> a charcoal filter, and a plant who's name I don't currently recall. 2
> days ago I put in 2 very large snails, 3 inch diameter, (recommended
> by petco fish guy :/)and things have taken an odd turn. I also have
> 1, 2" koi and a 2" orunga (brainfish).
>
> Yesterday the snails began sloughing off portions of their feet, at
> first I thought it was detritious, but now I'm not sure. The tank
> continued to be cloudy and smelly, so I put in some clarifier and
> replaced the filter.
>
> Today, the problem continues, and I am unsure what to do. Does it
> sound like the snails are diseased or is there some other problem?
> What should I do?
> Any advice is appreciated!


What are the nitrates in this tank?
Very hihg I'd wager.

These fish are huge waste producers, and cannot live in this size tank for
long for that very reason. Especially the Koi- you are overstocked..
Massive water changes very frequently are about all you can do.


--
Toni
http://www.cearbhaill.com/goldfish.htm

[Kay]

I can comment about the snails. I think what they are doing is nicnamed
"slimming" they do this when they are under stress, could be the water
conditions, high ammonia, or could be the goldfish picking at them.
Could be both. They produce extra slime when things are not right. If
they are large and share a 10 gallon with a goldfish, you maybe over
stocked. A 10 gallon is fine for 2 large snails alone, such as canas, or
maybe 4 if they are brigs. To tell the difference you can check
wwww.applesnail.net.

Kay

[Billy]

"Exmachina" > wrote in message
om...
| Greetings
|
| I recently started a 10 gallon goldfish tank. It's got bottom
rocks,


Just thought I'd add my 2 pennies to lend more credit to the 2 good
opinions already presented, your tank is WAY overstocked. Koi can
reach 3 feet and more in length, and the story about fish not
outgrowing a tank is a misleading wives-tale. A fish won't outgrow a
tank, but their growth will be stunted, causing internal
abnormalities and such that will lead to illness and death in short
order.
Unfortunately, your only viable options at this point are to stay
the course and lose your fish, purchase a 55 gallon MINIMUM for those
fish, or find them a new home. In the mean time, I agree with Toni in
that all you can do at this point is massive water changes to keep
toxins down, and this is a very short term "fix". One of the latter
actions must be taken, and soon. Please keep posting if you have
further questions!

billy

[Geezer From The Freezer]

Here's the problem

Orandas require 10 gallons per fish (thats the low end too)
Koi could do with 100 gallons per fish ideally as they get
MASSIVE, upto 3 feet, even longer sometimes.
10 gallons is much much to small. Don't beat yourself up
though, many people are unaware. 10 gallons is probably
about right for your two snails (which I suspect are applesnails)

Your Ammonia, nitrites and nitrates are probably through the roof.