snails floating to the surface - 04/20/02 01:37 AM
I have alot of snails in my pond and occasionally I see them floating enmass on the surface. I really don't have a problem with the snails as my bluegill eat them, and I don't have much of a parasite problem as I keep away the herons that complete the parasite cycle. I've never seen "black grubs" and only saw a yellow grub inoneof my bass back when I didn't keep the herons away. My dog is so well trained now to tell me when a heron tries to slip in she gets hyper when a housefinch lands on the deck!
My question is this: Are the floating snails a way for the snails to distribute themselves and a natural thing? This may occur during turnover -"spring and fall" so I'm thinking it may have something to do with that.
Any snail experts out there? These are small brown snails about the size of a pea that typically litter the bottom near shore. I know if I wanted to I could make a serious dent in them by planting redears (shellcrakers), but since spawning areas are limited I don't want redear/bluegill hybrids. I sell large bluegills to other taxidermist and purity is important.
Thanks,
Cecil
My question is this: Are the floating snails a way for the snails to distribute themselves and a natural thing? This may occur during turnover -"spring and fall" so I'm thinking it may have something to do with that.
Any snail experts out there? These are small brown snails about the size of a pea that typically litter the bottom near shore. I know if I wanted to I could make a serious dent in them by planting redears (shellcrakers), but since spawning areas are limited I don't want redear/bluegill hybrids. I sell large bluegills to other taxidermist and purity is important.
Thanks,
Cecil