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| Swirly Worm
Things... – 08/02/07 Sorry about that, here's the picture <Oh! Helps immensely!> Hi Art, Mich here. I am unable to open your photo in its present format. Any you chance you can send it as a jpeg or something similar? I am curious to see the image. Thanks, Mich Hello everyone at WWM! <Hello Art! Mich here.> I am somewhat concerned! <No worries here my friend.> I have a 55 GL saltwater tank and recently found these (for lack of a better description) worms growing on my glass. <Not worms, eggs, snail eggs. You can see similar images here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/snailreprofaq2.htm > Attached is a picture. <Yes, I can see it now.> They do not move, but they seem to grow in a somewhat swirly pattern on the glass and decorations in the tank. They can be scraped off, but when not scraped off completely you can see that they are very elastic and stretch very far until they snap off from the attached part. They seem to be made up of many smaller "strings" that form a thicker structure. I've been looking everywhere on your site, and can not seem to find a description of this creature, much less if it's harmful or beneficial. <Are beneficial as a supplemental food source. Usually don't last long in a reef tank, as they are far too tasty!> Can you guys please help me out with this one? <Certainly can!> -Art Perez <Cheers, Mich> |
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Identification Request... More snail eggs! – 08/02/07 I would like some help identifying the lacy, leaf-like "growth" on the glass of my aquarium. <Snail eggs. Second snail egg query today. Is it a full moon?> I've looked all over the web for similar photos, but since I don't know what to call it, I'm running out of ways to describe it in search engines--so far nothing matches. <Yes, this can be an exercise in futility.... and can be quite time consuming.> I see this on the glass every once in awhile. Sometimes more elaborate patterns. It seems to deteriorate (or get eaten?) after a day or so. <The likely the latter.> I'm fairly new to the marine aquarium hobby, so forgive me if this is one of those "duh" questions that I should have found the answer for with an "obvious" search query. <No worries... this is how we learn.> Most things I find in my tank I have gradually identified, but not knowing what they are to start with can make it quite time consuming. <"Beetlejuice" reference here?> Thanks for your help on this one. <Welcome! Mich> David Re: Identification
Request... More snail eggs! 8/4/07 |
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Nassarius vs. Predators;
Nassarius snail ID? Pseudochromid comp. - 7/31/07
Hello Crew!
<Hi David!>
Thanks in advance for addressing this question this evening.
<Happy to!>
I visited my LFS today and observed a tank full of Nassarius spp. snails being
sold as 'Cinnamon Roll Nassarius,'<?> presumably due to their size and
coloration. These were quite colorful and at least an inch in diameter, maybe 1
¼ inch (they do somewhat resemble a cinnamon roll so what's not to like?).
<Indeed, who doesn’t love a good cinnamon roll? Unfortunately, I’ve never heard
of these snails, nor seen any Nassarius with that shape/size. Snails in the
genus Nassarius, generally look like this:
http://www.seashell-collector.com/beginners/NASSARIIDAE.jpg>
I am familiar with the Nassarius as a reef safe invertebrate that is used
primarily as a scavenger of detritus, leftover food bits, and such, and a sand
bed stirrer/sifter. <Yep, love those Nassarius vibex!> I have kept Turbo, and
Astrea, snails with success but never the Nassarius. <They make a nice addition
to the right tank>.
I have heard/read that natural predators of the Nassarius snails may be hermit
crabs and, of course, large snail eating fishes like some triggers. <Yes> In
this respect, these snails would be safe in my tank as I do not maintain hermit
crabs or triggers. <Good> However, I have one emerald crab (Mithrax sculptus)
that I have housed in this 46 gal. FOWLR tank for many years with no apparent
problems.
<Good to hear. I’ve had mixed luck with these guys. Hopefully, yours will keep
his little green claws to himself and away from any future snails you acquire!
Keeping him well fed will help.>
My other livestock consists of a smaller One-spot Rabbitfish, a Tomato Clown, an
Azure Damsel, and a Yellow Dottyback. There are currently no other inverts. I
would like to acquire 3 or 4 of these large Nassarius snails for this tank,
beginning with a very low stocking ratio in order to determine their suitability
in the system as a whole and to ensure they do not rapidly deplete their food
supply. <Good thinking when it comes to stocking> The sand bed is entirely
appropriate for this species - deep sugar sand bed of at least 3".
<I’m concerned that we really don’t know what species this is, therefore, we
don't know its needs.>
My question is, do you see the Emerald crab as a threat to the snails? <It’s
possible, crabs are always a risk.> How about the Dottyback? <It’s possible as
well.> Are they prone to picking on inverts that are introduced after them, as
they are with fishes?
<Yep, they’re quite the little pickers. I’ve heard of them nipping off snail
antennae, etc.>
And, do you see any other problems with their inclusion that I may not foresee?
<I’d recommend finding out exactly what type of snail those are before
purchasing. It's imperative to know a potential addition's diet, care, how large
it gets, compatibility issues, etc, before bringing it home. These two sites are
good places to start the ID process:
http://www.seashell-collector.com/beginners/family_id.htm
http://shell.kwansei.ac.jp/~shell/pic_book/shape.html>
Thanks again for your valuable insight.
<You’re very welcome and good luck! –Lynn>
David A. Bell
Re: Nassarius snails?
Dottyback aggression - 7/31/07
Hello WWM Crew!
<Hello there, David! Lynn here again, ready to talk snails!>
The message is in response specifically to Lynn, who gave initial reply to my
question yesterday, but if not available maybe the word could be passed on.
Never the less it may be an interesting story and useful to other readers.
Thanks.
This is a follow-up concerning the compatibility of Nassarius Snails to my
current inhabitant list of a Foxface Rabbitfish (Siganus [Lo] vulpinus), Tomato
Clown (Amphiprion frenatus), Azure Damsel (Amblyglyphidodon azurelineatus),
Yellow Dottyback (Pseudochromis fuscus), and an Emerald Crab (Mithrax sculptus).
The habitat is a 46 gal. bow, FOWLR with about 3-4" of sugar sand and 50 lbs. of
live rock with no other inverts at the moment.
I read everything I could find on WWM and several other sources concerning the
Nassarius genus and possible predators of these snails. As I stated yesterday,
hermits and large snail-eating fishes, like Triggers, were the only commonly
mentioned suspects cited as potential problems. My only concerns at this point
then were the Emerald Crab and the Dottyback; however, the sources said that
Dottybacks may not be trusted with small inverts. Given their size, I went ahead
and purchased 3 of these snails this morning (of which there are issues
concerning their actual taxonomic placement in the genus, by the way, as these
are large for Nassarius, about the size of a silver dollar, being sold under the
common name of a Cinnamon Roll Nassarius - perhaps Tongan in origin?
<Hmmm, I’ve seen something called a “Super Tongan” Nassarius (Nassarius
distortus) offered online. They get up to about an inch, but they don’t look
remotely like a cinnamon roll! LOL When I think of a cinnamon roll, I think of
something short/round/squat (heee, like I would look if I ate too many!). I’ve
never seen a pointed/cone-shaped one but hey, it could happen!>
They weren't around long enough to take a picture. I'll work on sharing that the
first chance I get. <Please do, that would be super. By the way, I’ve got
another link for you to explore (see the purple “Thumbnails” link on the right):
http://www.gastropods.com/Taxon_pages/Family_NASSARIIDAE_NASSARIINAE.html >
Well, I need not have worried about the Emerald Crab as he never got the chance
to get close to the snails. The Dottyback went absolutely berserk! He attempted
to nip at the snail's flesh until they retreated within their shells and then he
continually rammed them with his head.<Yep, that’s a Dottyback for you.> In the
meantime they were able to burrow into the sand, but even this did not deter the
Dottyback as he hovered over the sandbed in an antagonistic manner, ready to
pounce upon their return. <They’re nothing if not persistent, huh?> The snails
were in the tank no longer than a couple of minutes before I removed them to
their transfer bag, seeing no hope in the relationship "righting" itself.
<Agreed> However....enter the Tomato Clown. Despite the Dottyback's severe
aggressive tendencies - having already killed a Falco's Hawkfish - <Yikes!> the
Tomato Clown, a five-year resident, is undisputed Tank Boss. <You’ve just got to
love that about a Tomato clown. It takes a lot to intimidate one!> During this
aggressive display, the Clown eagerly threw himself between the Dottyback and
the snails, practically shoving the Dottyback back into the rockwork. This was
indeed interesting to watch! - a Clownfish seemingly protecting the new kids by
trying to keep this terror of a fish at bay. <Interesting>
Well, the story ended well as I took the snails back to the LFS where they are
on hold for me to pick back up pending some "environmental modifications."
<Ideally, you’d quarantine those snails before putting them in the tank.> In
fact, the Store Owner has also agreed to accept the Dottyback in swap for
someone less volatile. <Yay!> This particular killer needs to be placed with
Triggers, large Angels, and the like. He's not quite big enough for me to eat.
<Heee!> The moral to this story is a simple one....what you hear and read about
Pseudochromis spp. Is not only most likely true, they may negatively EXCEED
expectations. At this point, I would have no idea how aggressive or defensively
capable another animal must be in order to be introduced with this fish in
residence.
Regards, from
David A. Bell
<Thank you for sharing this with us! -Lynn>
Re: Nassarius snails? Dottyback aggression – 7/31/07
Hello Lynn. (No need to publish)
<Hi David!>
I just wanted to say "thanks" for the Nassarius picture, <You're very welcome>
and the answer is definitely "yes," the so-called Nassarius that I described in
yesterday's post match the picture....but the ones I found are large, around 1
1/4 ".
<Yikes, that’s huge compared to the typical Nassarius snails I usually see! I’ll
be looking forward to seeing some photos of these guys. If it’s at all possible,
please try to get a shot from the top, or side, as well as one from underneath
(so you can see the aperture/opening). That last view can make all the
difference in the world when it comes to identifying. Until then, take care! -
Lynn>
David Bell
Different Stomatella?
7/26/07
<Hello Elaine, Mich here.>
Sorry about the spelling but I asked a question quite a while ago regarding a
slug looking creature I had found in my tank. I was told to enjoy him as it was
a Stomatella. Since the tank has been running without fish for about 6 months as
it was to be used for a small fish only tank but I never got round to getting
fish in. I have still been doing regular water changes and the life in there is
full.
<Very good!>
My concern is the Stomatella snails have reproduced to around 50 + but although
they were a stone colour there are now also 50+ others which are black in colour
and have 1 single white spot off set on there back slightly to the left.
<The color shouldn't matter, if, these are indeed Stomatella snails.>
Are these safe?
<Should be.>
If I put fish in will they eat them?
<Depends what fish you put in. You should research any livestock you are
considering before purchasing it.>
My hubby is wanting to buy a lion fish to put in the tank.
<OK, will make it difficult to add many other fish as they tend to eat anything
that is smaller than they are! I presume you know the spines are venomous. More
here and the many related links in blue:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/lions&rels.htm >
I have not seen the things doing anything apart from eat the algae on the glass
but apart from live rock there are no corals in there.
<OK.>
Can you please confirm these new coloured Stomatella things are also safe and if
so are they safe in a reef tank as I would like to place some of the live rock
from there into my reefs sump.
<Please see images of Stomatella here:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/snailidfaq6.htm
http://www.reefland.com/rho/0305/images/stomatella.jpg
If this is what you have in your tank, you should be fine.>
Thanks for your help,
<Welcome! Happy reading!>
Elaine Hilton
North Wales UK
<Michelle Lemech who used to live in North Wales, Pennsylvania!>
ps Sorry I tried to get a photo but they would not turn out well enough to see
but they are identical to the others apart from the colour.
<OK.
ps Please in the future use proper capitalization i.e. "I not i". More reasons
why here:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/QueryCorrsRefPg.htm >
| ID Help! Vermetid Snail - 7/20/07 Hey Crew! <Hello Eric! Mich here.> I need help trying to ID something in my tank. <Certainly!> I’m really not sure what it is, so I can’t look it up. <Yep, been there done that!> I found it on the crushed coral at the bottom of the tank. It’s a flat disc, about ¼” across, light purple/white rings (somewhat like a tree’s rings). It looks a little like a Montipora Capricornis, but it’s smooth, not the right texture, and it seems to be growing from the middle out. It was stuck to a few other chunks of crushed coral, and I knocked them off. There was one piece left attached to it, and I set it up on a rock to see what it did. This morning I looked at it, and it moved. It has ‘spider webs’ back to where it WAS sitting on the rock, and it has curled its one edge to hang on to the rock, but still be horizontal to receive the most light exposure. It seems to move like a starfish, with little feelers, maybe. From the bottom I got a picture and it looks like a donut, the center is thinner so you can see more light through it. I can’t get a top pic because it’s so close to the front of the tank. Can anyone ID this strange specimen? <Looks like a tube snail of the family Vermetidae, aka Vermetid snail to me. The "spider webs" they secrete into the water column are used for feeding. These are harmless filter feeders. You can read more about them here: http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-01/rs/index.php > Thanks for any help, <Welcome! Mich> Eric Ziegler |
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| ID strange
white fluffy thing 7/15/07 Hi Crew. <Vince> Just wake up this morning and found this strange fluffy thing appearing on my live rock (see attached pic). It is about 3/4". It wasn't there last night. Do you have any idea what could it be? <Mmm, appears a bit too diaphanous to be a syconoid sponge, and the fast rate of appearance...> All livestock are present (fish, shrimps and corals). It looks like it is attached to the live rock by a couple of stringy tissue. Flows easily in the current with almost transparent tissue with denser material at base. Could this just be a carcass of a dead snail? <Yes, could be. I can make out what appears to be the odontophore/radula in the bottom right. I'd siphon this mass out. BobF> Thanks Vincent |
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| Small tubes
over rocks... Small Tube Snails (Petaloconchus spp) 7/11/07 <Greetings! Mich here.> Could you guys tell me what those small tubes are. <Hopefully!> They are coming out all over my live rock? They are hard, can't see anything coming out and some are linked in a single cobweb texture. <At first glance, I thought these were the calcareous tubes produced by the Serpulidae family of feather dusters. However, your description more closely fits Caribbean or small worm snails (Petaloconchus spp) and closer visual inspection would also indicate this to be the case.> I used to have some on bottom of rocks but they have started to multiply rapidly. <Not uncommon.> Thank you guys! <You're welcome from one of the gals!> |
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Speaking of critters... – 07/07/07 Check out these cool pics I took of one of my Vermetid snails. It's the same one that's on the home page for my website. Everyone always tells me I should have a picture of something "pretty" on the home page. But honestly, how is this thing not beautiful? Sara <Ahh, very nice... daily pic. B> |
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Pyramidellids or not? 6/13/07
Hello fishy-experts,
<Barb>
Thank you so much for answering my question if you can. Two days ago I
noticed several (~5) tiny white snails that appeared on a new macro-algae
(anchored to live rock). Yesterday, there were more (~20) and they are
getting bigger fast. After looking at the snail ID section of your website I
decided they might be Pyramidellids (they look very similar), so I started
to pick them off with tweezers. However, when I grabbed the bigger ones
(about 1 cm long) they emitted a milky plume. Does that mean my snail ID is
incorrect, and if so any ideas on what they are?
<Can't tell... there are many such-appearing snail species... Do you have
Tridacnids? If not I would not be concerned here>
And is the plume a toxin?
<Likely reproductive products... not a problem in a large-enough,
established, well-maintained system>
To be safe, I did a massive water change and put in new charcoal filter
cartridges. Since they seemed to be only interested in my plant, I moved it
to my currently empty QT tank and continued to pick them off. Should I be
worried about these hitchhikers?
Barbara
<I would not be. Cheers, Bob Fenner>
Mystery "thing": Eggs - 6/2/07
Re: Mystery "thing": Eggs - 6/3/07 |
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| Snail IDs
5/30/07 Hello from Cyprus, <Greetings from S. Cal.> I have three types of snails in my aquarium and i would like to know more about them if possible :D The first one, if i am not mistaken is a Conus abraeus! is it dangerous ? <Is a Cone... maybe abraeus... Not likely dangerous... to you or your fishes> feeding habits ? I couldn't find any details in the net except for a little description in your site. <http://www.google.com/search?q=conus+abraeus&sourceid=ie7&rls=com.microsoft:en-US&ie=utf8&oe=utf8> the next two photos are the same snail, and the next one is a small snail, that came along with live rock. all have the feeding - breathing tubes. what species are they ? are they carnivorous ? pose any danger to other snails or fish ? <The first is a Nassariid... not dangerous again... feed on interstitial fauna> many thanks, i would be very happy if you can help me Nakis <Bob Fenner> |
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| Need snail ID 5/17/07 Hi there, <Eric> I just had some baby snails hatched on me in my tank and was wondering if you guys could help me identify which species it is. <Looks like a Turbo sp. to me...> There's at least a dozen in the tank at the moment and at present they are extremely small (approx. 1mm). I'm mostly interested in what they are and if they are confirmed predators of any sort since they're in my pico reef tank at the moment. <Mmm, wild-collected species from all seas... some (the ones collected by the GARF folks) from Mexico aren't quite tropical, but others are put to good advantage as cleaner-uppers in most types of reef tanks> I'm interested in the pink ones in the lower left corner. <Is pink from algal growth on its shell...> If you could also ID the one in the upper right corner also, that would be great, but I would be happy with the ID of the pink ones. Please find a picture of them attached. Thanks, Eric <Welcome. Bob Fenner> |
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Re: Need snail ID 5/18/07 Hi Bob, <Eric> Definitely not coralline algae on the shells; the tank is pretty much devoid of coralline. <Easy to have some sort of encrusting algae (could even be a Blue-Green... do come in other colors...> I have no Turbo snails in the tank either so if they are Turbo, they came in on the new corals that I added. <Oh yes...> Thanks, Eric <Welcome. BobF> |
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