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How to safely remove shell dwellers from their shells
Posted: Sun Aug 17, 2025 7:27 am
by cichlidgirl22
Got 4 shell dwellers in a 5 gallon bucket, they're all hiding in their shells. I need to clean the shells but they won't come out. How can I get 'em to come out so I can clean their homes?
Re: How to safely remove shell dwellers from their shells
Posted: Sun Aug 17, 2025 8:42 am
by infold
Leave them be, put the tank back as is. Don't stress those little guys. They'll take care of the shells when they're good and ready.
Re: How to safely remove shell dwellers from their shells
Posted: Sun Aug 17, 2025 10:35 am
by cichlidgirl22
infold wrote: ↑Sun Aug 17, 2025 8:42 am
Leave them be, put the tank back as is. Don't stress those little guys. They'll take care of the shells when they're good and ready.
Ive got a cyanobacteria issue on the shells, wanted to get it cleaned off. Replacing the sand, trying to get rid of it. Guess I can just do my best to clean the shells with them still in there.
Re: How to safely remove shell dwellers from their shells
Posted: Sun Aug 17, 2025 12:11 pm
by Beastie
Had a shelldweller die from drying out when I removed the shells, dropped them, rinsed and tried to get them out. Be careful with that. Once you've got an african tank, get used to dealing with algae - it's just esthetics, doesn't hurt the fish.
Re: How to safely remove shell dwellers from their shells
Posted: Sun Aug 17, 2025 12:33 pm
by cichlidgirl22
Beastie wrote: ↑Sun Aug 17, 2025 12:11 pm
Had a shelldweller die from drying out when I removed the shells, dropped them, rinsed and tried to get them out. Be careful with that. Once you've got an african tank, get used to dealing with algae - it's just esthetics, doesn't hurt the fish.
I ended up just leaving them in the shells and did the best I could to clean around them.