Snails

[Bell]

Sorry for not posting this in my post below -- I've been trying to decide what to stock the tank with, cleaner-wise. I'm dizzy and bewildered for there seems to be dozens of snail types out there.

Nassarius snails
Turbo snails
Nerite snails
Astrea snails
Strombus Grazers
Trocus Grazers
Stomatella Varia
Peppermint Snails
Margarita Snails
Cerith Snails

..And probably more I don't know about.

What would you get for a 25 gallon FOWLR? (Well.. FOWLR if you don't count mushrooms, polyps, and possibly a Colt Coral)

I'm marking off Nerite, since I've heard they tend to gravitate to above the water line and die if you don't put them lower. I want snails that really don't need my help, such as flipping them back over (Astrea). I need something to turn over my sand so I'm debating between Nassarius snails or maybe Peppermint snails.

I don't want hordes of snails -- I only want maybe 2-3 species. What would you get and how many?

Thanks.

 

[gagnu]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote

such as flipping them back over (Astrea).

Is it Astreas or Margaritas, or both, that can't flip themselves over?

 

[jdeets]

I have some of every snail on your list, except for the turbos. I've stayed away from turbos because they get too big and can dislodge things.

My philosophy is that the more varied I can make my tank, the better. Plus it makes it a little more interesting having all those different kinds of snails running around in there.

 

[Anonymous]

gagnu: my astreas can't right themselves. i don't know about the margaritas.

 

[2poor2reef]

I emphasize cerith snails in my systems. They eat a larger range of algae than the others in my experience and will dig into the sand to get at detritus. Particularly helps with the glass right at the sand line. Nassarius as scavengers are in a class by themselves. I run my tanks at 82 degrees and people have been saying that margaritas are cooler water snails and their longevity is shortened in higher temp reef setups like mine. I've quit using them only for that reason.

[ June 16, 2001: Message edited by: 2poor2reef ]

 

[Bell]

thanks. ^_^

I've decided to get two-three of each:

Nassarius snails
Strombus Grazers
Trochus Grazers
Stomatella Varia

And possibly a Cerith or two. Too much or too little for my 25 gallon?

 

[naesco]

Go for it with the cerith and let us know is a month or so your observations.
OK?

 

[redline]

in my 40 gal, i have 15 turbos, 30 astrea, and 25 trochus

 

[Bell]

Will do.

Might be a little while -- two or three months down the road before I start adding snails.

 

[Emperator]

My astreas and margaritas cannot right themselves. If they fall on their shell behind my rockwork where I cannot flip them around, they become meals for my hermits.

And thus the food cycle turns round and round.

 

[MontanaRocknReefer]

My turbos and astreas turn over and if I don't see them in time or can't reach them they become a meal for my hermits.
I have a bunch of little snails showing up and only at night. They have white shells and they come to a point. Will be interesting to see what develops. Johnny

 

[Anonymous]

Astrea sp. can certainly right themselves.

 

[DaveR]

Picked up 25+ Nassarius snails from SeaLifes MO and they are just awesome scavengers (not much for algae though). The minute any food hits the water, they come flying up from under the sand. They keep everything very clean.

SeaLifes MO website: http://www.sealifes.com/Index.html

- Dave

 

[Doughboy]

I have astrea, trochus and turbo. I never noticed the astrea having any problems righting themselves, but maybe they haven't tipped over. Personally, I like the trochus. I now even have babies. I agree with the comment on the nerties. I had six, but they all died.

 

[fishfarmer]

I like Trochus, Hawaiian Turbos and Strombus snails. Both the Turbos and Strombus are breeding in my tank. The Trochus are a tough snail, they easily shake off attacks from hermits. My Nerites seemed to dissappear in my tank. I also have Ceriths and Nassarius.

 

[jmeader]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by galleon:
<STRONG>Astrea sp. can certainly right themselves.</STRONG><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
It's been my experience that they can right themselves on a hard surface but not on sand.

 

[Mr. Reefer]

I have seen 2 die behind my rocks because they can't right themselves.

 

[zooqi]

There are a couple of different kind of them:

Stomatella. Coloured Stomatella, Elegant Stomatella, Flattened Stomatella.
Papery Stomatella, Red Stomatella, Strigose Stomatella
It sound that you have Variable Stomatella kinda which is flat on the top. If they lose a shell you will see that is very prety inside the shel if you clean it. Years back people (fisherman's family) in some areas around the world used to use shels to make small jewelery.

 

[shr00m]

snails rule