Banded Trochus Spawning?????????

[Dewman]

OK...this is strange.
I have never seen snails reproduce, but, I think that is what they were doing.
I got up this morning and gave my tank the usual once-over checking to make sure all is well (no stranded snails on their backs etc...) and I noticed that all three of my banded trochus snails were clinging to different corners of the tank and they were releasing large amounts of a milky-white liquid into the water. They were taking turns doing it. When one would stop, another would begin. It went on for about 15 minutes. There was a pretty good film on the water and the skimmer was frothy. None of the other types of snails were doing it though.
I assume this was semen being released, but I thought snails were asexual.
I have noticed that there are TONS of purple banded snails in the tank of varying sizes, that started to appear during the spring. Is it possible that my snails have sucessfully spawned before?

 

[ReefLion]

For what it's worth, I have witnessed similar behavior a number of times and assumed it was semen being released. I've had enough little snails appear over the course of time that I also assume a variety of snails have produced successfully in my tanks, although again it's nothing I ever confirmed.

ReefLion

 

[bstruss]

I just had a similar event with my trocus. From my understanding the females are releasing eggs and a chemical messenger (pheremones) and the males are responding by releasing sperm. If you have a number of animals doing this its a good idea to turn up the skimmer and add some filtration as the tank can get a little overwhelmed. Watch the other animals a day or so later and if they're not looking good, do a water change.

 

[Chucker]

That is exactly what they were doing. I've had them spawn 2 or 3 times in my system over the last few years. They usually spawned in response to long periods of slack water brought on my either a lengthy tank cleaning or water change. The milky white release is sperm, and the eggs are yellow-orange spheres about 1/2 the size of a pin head.

 

[Dewman]

Excellent!! I mean, that is a good sign of a healthy system right??

Chucker, I had just started the sump the day before and the tank water mixed with 20 gallons of fresh sump water. That may have caused the same "water change" reaction you described.

I turned on a normal output light over the top of the tank lastnight and WOW!! OMG!
There were THOUSANDS of little snails all over everything. They ranged in size from a pin point, to the size of a pencil eraser. I have seen them during the day and assumed they were just tiny hitchhiker snails, but never thought there were that many in there!! They are white-ish with purple/brown stripes on the shells.
I wonder if they are Trochus as well. Their shells don't have the pronounced cone shape, like the adults, but the stripes are the same.
What do you think?? I will flip on he same light tonight and get a picture to post... :wink:

 

[Chucker]

FWIW, I doubt those are the same species of snail. Check the HHFAQ for an example of them. The one pictured there grows no larger than a big pea.

 

[reefland]

I don't recall if banded trochus and tiger trochus are the same thing but my tigers have spawned sveral times. I've never seen any baby snails from it. Other species of snails in my tank do reproduce and I have sveral generations.

Out of focus night shot, but should be clear enough.

 

[danmhippo]

Excellent!! I mean, that is a good sign of a healthy system right??

Well, not exactly. Inverts spawn when condition is right or when they are experiencing tremendous stress. The mature individual release their sperm and eggs into water current hoping the fertilized plantonic egg would land on a more suitable growing location. Not sure which category your tank falls into though. :wink:

 

[endymion]

What I have noticed is that trochus babies look almost like a stometella snail....there shell is not pointed, more rounded, and there foot is to big to fully retract. But the shell has the striped markings. Then as they get bigger say larger then 1/4" they start looking more like the an adult trochus.

 

[Dewman]

Yup, tha pic is just what it looks like. And yes, tiger is also called banded.

I like them better than any of my other snails (except for conches)


Endymion, I will keep an eye on htese guys and see what develops.

BTW, are you a member of the Krewe??
Went to Mardi Gras last year for the third time. Great parade As Always!
Too bad Zulu doesn't toss the coconuts anymore .