Cowrie snail eating my anemone???? please help!!

[jjpelican]

you guys have been amazing this past week, not sure why so much bad stuff has happened in my tank, but my latest is since my anemone was affected by the temp and the lighting he is ok, but seems stressed doesn't open all the way much and has been moving around, well now the latest dilemma is my tiger cowrie snail who has ben in the tank for over 4 months with the anemone, will not leave it alone, once the lights go out in a little bit he is sucking on the anemone who shrinks to nothing to avoid him but I have had to separate them 6 or 7 times in the past 3 days, I don't get it. I would think the anemone would hurt the cowrie and I did research on the cowrie and they do not eat invertebrates and there seems to be no history of something like this. I feel like my anemone could be better and happy again but this thing won't leave him alone. I really like both and wouldn't want to lose one, but what can I do, is this something to be worried about?

 

[Anonymous]

>...I would think the anemone would hurt the cowrie and I did research on the cowrie and they do not eat invertebrates and there seems to be no history of something like this.

With only a few exceptions, most cowrie is not reef safe due to its diet.

 

[Anonymous]

Cypraea tigris are not herbivores but omnivores. They have been observed not only feeding on algae but mussels, fish flesh, corals, etc. It's very possible your anemone is on the way out and the cowrie is taking advantage of a free meal. I would suggest you remove the cowrie.

Regards,
David Mohr

 

[SpecialK]

I did buy a cowrie a few years ago and was told it will eat the foot of my anemone so I took it out and took it back to the LFS.

They will eat anemones get it out of the tank a.s.a.p...........

Kaye

 

[Rikko]

You sure, David? I just checked two of my books and they're pretty determined to classify them as herbivores with an occasional weakness for sponges.
Unfortunately I can't comment from experience, I only have experience with gold-rings.

 

[Anonymous]

Don't know about GoldRings, but Tiger Cowries IME will damage coral on its grazing path.

 

[Anonymous]

Tiger Cowries IME will damage coral on its grazing path.

Tiger Cowries will eat just about anything..They are not reef safe and I wouldnt trust most cowries in a reef tank...