Which snails are bad

[faztaz]

Does anyone have any pictures of the snails you DO NOT want in your reefs. For example the ones that eat star polyps, etc. Reason being that I put some LR in two days ago from a friends tank and notices some small snails I have never seen before. Thanks!!
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[Goldmoon]

hi

here is one kind of snails that eat polyps:

And here is a website where you can find your hitchhiker's identity if it is not that one:
http://www.reefs.org/hhfaq/pages/main_pages/

Good luck.

[ September 16, 2001: Message edited by: Goldmoon ]

 

[jmeader]

Watch out for any snail that sticks out a tube and sniffs the water as it moves. They are generally predatory, the exception being scavengers which do the same thing.

[ September 16, 2001: Message edited by: jmeader ]

 

[Anonymous]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by jmeader:
<STRONG>Watch out for any snail that sticks out a tube and sniffs the water as it moves.</STRONG><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>


Except: a snail verified to be Nassarius, they are excellent detrivores. Here's an example of a predatory Whelk that jmeader is referring to:

Here's a pic of a snail called a Horse Conch that Dr. Ron says dines on mussels, clams, snails and small cars:

[ September 16, 2001: Message edited by: Guy ]

 

[charro]

I'm now very concerned. I have had 5 snails that are very similiar to the 1st pix that came from reputable source & recently have seen 4 teeny fry with similiar structures. I had thought they were Nessarius until I read in Dr. Ron's literature that Nessies are sand creatures & mine are rock climbers, but frequently hidden. I watched them consume my Cleaner Shrimp, that I had for 1 1/2 yrs. but only after it developed some black spots & eating poorly, they all rushed over & just sucked his innards - it was amazing to watch. They otherwise are docile. Ican't find even one now, but they don't have the black/white marbleing. Should I be alarmed? Thx

 

[Stars360]

One that comes to mind is what is commonly called a bumble bee snails sorry i dont have a pic but i am sure someone else can hop in w/ one...

 

[Goldmoon]

i would not say that all the snails with the siphons are bad.. besides the nassarius snails you also have the Strombus genus. (ex: queen conch is a strombus gigas)

Or the smaller version:

http://www.ipsf.com/strombusfaqs.html

 

[Goldmoon]

Here is a picture of a bumble bee snail:

What do you mean it looks like the first picture? what color are they?? Could it be nerite snails?? (it is my understanding from what I saw on the net that they come in different colors)

 

[Mouse]

You defenately dont want any cone snails. Not sure if they will harm your reef, but they would defenately kick your ass. I think it takes about three seconds before your dead. I have strated to come to the conclusion that due to the difficultys presented by reef animal husbandry that anything not identified should be isolated untill you are sure what it is. If you have ever had to break down a reef to get out an emerald crab you will think twice, three times maybe een four befoe adding anything, and i do mean anything.

 

[Anonymous]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Goldmoon:
<STRONG>i would not say that all the snails with the siphons are bad.. besides the nassarius snails you also have the Strombus genus. (ex: queen conch is a strombus gigas)
</STRONG><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I stand corrected. The Stombus Maculatus is an excellent snail.

 

[yznhmr]

i think i have a snail that looks just like the pic above, labeled a " Whelk" and i have alot of dead snails, that i thought was attributed to the blue leg b@stards, but mabey this thig is it, i will try to shoot some pics of it for posting.. it has been in my reef for a couple years , always saw it neve SAW it do anything bad, but who know, any info on this would be greatly appericated.