can centipedes kill baby fulica

[Louise]

i used to have 6 baby snails.when the y were tiny 2 went missing when i looked for them in the tank i found three large centipedes in the substrate i was wondering if they could have ate the two missing snails thanks to anyone who replies as i am new to keeping snails

[deadmansfinger]

I wouldn't be surprised if they did. Garden Centipedes eat insects, spiders, and other small animals so if the snails were small enough I assume they would make an easy meal for a centipede.

Brian.

[Louise]

i have started to bake my substrate now before putting it in the tank and i have had no problems since but i think i will start to use sterilised coir from now on to be on the safe side thanks for the reply

[deadmansfinger]

I just use compost from the garden centre straight from the bag and never noticed any "nasties" in it.


Brian.

[Louise]

my substrate was peat bought from B & Q and i had also put sphagnum moss in aswell and when i searched the tank after the 2 snails went missing aswell as the centipedes there were tons of other tiny little beetles and a couple of woodlice in there maybe i was just unlucky with that bag of peat

[deadmansfinger]

I am sure some of the compost is sterilised and guaranteed to be "clean".
Check the different brands next time and see what's available.

I actually tend to use grobags in my tanks (used for growing tomatoes in etc) they only cost £1.29 each in my local garden centre and 2 of them is more than enough to deeply fill my margie tank which is 4'x2'x2'.

Maybe give them a go?

Brian.

[Louise]

thanks for the advice i will definately give them a go cos if the grobags i try are pest free they will be much easier to get hold of than sterilised coir is there any particular brand you know of that is pest free