Nassarius snails

newbcube · 12/30/2016, 10:46 AM

I've read on here quite a bit that you shouldn't add nassarius snails as a part of the initial clean up crew since they will be no food. Is there a rule of thumb or any signal that it's okay to add them?

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vhuang168 · 12/30/2016, 10:52 AM

When you start feeding fish. They eat food that drops to the sand.

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thegrun · 12/30/2016, 11:12 AM

+1, as soon as you start feeding the fish the snails will come up out of the sand to eat whatever falls to the sand bed. I would start with just a few (or one depending on your tank size) and then add a few more maybe three months down the road.

Reincarnate · 12/30/2016, 11:34 AM

I agree with the above, but then again food shouldn't be hitting the ground in the first place IMO. It's all about portion size. Also, don't forget about the bristle worms either. Much more efficient at picking up the scraps then a Nassarius snail.

TheOtherDB · 12/30/2016, 11:54 AM

I've had two Nassarius snails that started out in a brand new, not yet "cycled" 5 gallon pico tank about two years ago. I still have the same two, in fact it looks like they've bred because every once in a while I see a small third moseying about.

I feed a variety of food, but twice a day I spread a pinch of my own blend of dried food, some of which hits the bottom. The "zombie" snails come up out of the crushed coral and start to forrage for bits ... so does the crab, fire worms and brittle stars.

I have zero nitrates ... and zero algae save for the pink, coraline variety and the crop of caulerpa I keep in the refuge.

If there's anything absolute in this hobby, it is that possibilities and outcomes are endless. Each system is different. Each philosophy has its own merits. Each of us has to persist to find out which combination of variables is going to work where our particular set of stars line up.

scooter31707 · 12/30/2016, 11:57 AM

I use the .5mm New Life Spectrum pellets and put some in the tank at lights out about every 3 days. I noticed mines really becomes active when the light go out.

Reincarnate · 12/30/2016, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheOtherDB

I've had two Nassarius snails that started out in a brand new, not yet "cycled" 5 gallon pico tank about two years ago. I still have the same two, in fact it looks like they've bred because every once in a while I see a small third moseying about.

I feed a variety of food, but twice a day I spread a pinch of my own blend of dried food, some of which hits the bottom. The "zombie" snails come up out of the crushed coral and start to forrage for bits ... so does the crab, fire worms and brittle stars.

I have zero nitrates ... and zero algae save for the pink, coraline variety and the crop of caulerpa I keep in the refuge.

If there's anything absolute in this hobby, it is that possibilities and outcomes are endless. Each system is different. Each philosophy has its own merits. Each of us has to persist to find out which combination of variables is going to work where our particular set of stars line up.

Quote:

Originally Posted by scooter31707

I use the .5mm New Life Spectrum pellets and put some in the tank at lights out about every 3 days. I noticed mines really becomes active when the light go out.

It sounds to me like you guys are treating your Nassarius snails more like pets as opposed to janitors. To each their own though. If one of my Nassarius snails happens to die due to starvation so be it.

TheOtherDB · 12/30/2016, 12:42 PM

... cherished pets, actually. It turns out, they make great janitors as well. Who knew?
Take care of your pet janitors and they will take care of you.

CrayolaViolence · 12/30/2016, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reincarnate

I agree with the above, but then again food shouldn't be hitting the ground in the first place IMO. It's all about portion size. Also, don't forget about the bristle worms either. Much more efficient at picking up the scraps then a Nassarius snail.

Which usually isn't possible if you have something like seahorses where you have to overfeed the tank to make sure the ponies get plenty to eat.

CrayolaViolence · 12/30/2016, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reincarnate

It sounds to me like you guys are treating your Nassarius snails more like pets as opposed to janitors. To each their own though. If one of my Nassarius snails happens to die due to starvation so be it.

Considering good marble shelled nassarius snails cost as much as 3.00 each. I don't call it treating them as pets, rather not treating money as if it doesn't already have a very high evaporation rate.
Especially in this hobby.

TheOtherDB · 12/30/2016, 01:44 PM

CrayolaViolence:
"...rather not treating money as if it doesn't already have a very high evaporation rate."

Which is why one should always keep a tightly secured lid over the jar in which one keeps their money.

dwwataz · 12/30/2016, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheOtherDB

... cherished pets, actually. It turns out, they make great janitors as well. Who knew?
Take care of your pet janitors and they will take care of you.

Yup! I think they're cool as heck. Started with 5 a couple weeks ago and fell in love! Hermits killed 1 of them so I got 5 more....and a bunch of empty hermit shells. Now if one of those would starve(or all of them)..

GoVols · 12/30/2016, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheOtherDB

CrayolaViolence:
"...rather not treating money as if it doesn't already have a very high evaporation rate."

Which is why one should always keep a tightly secured lid over the jar in which one keeps their money.

+1
LOL

This is the funniest thread I been on in awhile!

Always loved Nassarius snails too, before I went BB. They are awesome boogers.

Have to agree: They are dual purpose. Pet / janitor: What else could one ask for

My ribs are hurting now. I'm still (lol)!!!!!!!!!!

GoVols · 12/30/2016, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrayolaViolence

Considering good marble shelled nassarius snails cost as much as 3.00 each. I don't call it treating them as pets, rather not treating money as if it doesn't already have a very high evaporation rate.
Especially in this hobby.

Please don't hurt us.

Just noticed "Violence" is part of your call name...

TheOtherDB · 12/31/2016, 07:55 AM

Hey, GoVols ...

We are here for YOUR entertainment!

Please leave your tip in the tightly sealed jar~

lukewithcats · 12/31/2016, 09:02 AM

i added a few and didn't add them until i had fish being fed but i only have 3 smallish fish and they are just getting flake and I fear the nassarius are not finding enough food, i could over feed but obviously would rather not.
I'm having the same issue with hermit crabs. I wish I had waited longer on the hermits and nassarius snails. When I feed the fish the nassarius come out the sand but they seem to just roam around randomly wishing they could find food and are even taking to climbing the glass as I think their syphons are leading them upwards to where the flake is more concetrated at the start at least. Any ideas what I could use to supplement feed blue leg hermits and nassarius snails that won't pollute my water?

TheOtherDB · 12/31/2016, 08:00 PM

Hey, Luke ...

I'm not sure how to answer your question directly [or that I really even know the answer], but I have 5 small-ish fish and I feed them twice per day, I'd say its less than half of a gram in total. It's not flake food, but rather a blend of pelleted food that I've mashed all together with a mortar and pestle. Some of it is algae pellets, some of it is broad spectrum, reef safe fish pellets, some of it is labeled specifically for coral. I think the main take away is that since its not flake food, and that I "wet rub" it into the water with my thumb and forefinger, it sinks fairly quickly. Some of it dissolves into minuscule particulates that the corals filter, some of it sticks together big enough for the fish to eat, some of it reaches the bottom where:

- 3 Nassarius
- 2 large Red Trochus
- 1 Emerald crab with a quarter sized carapace
- 1 Tiger Conch
- 1 Peppermint Shrimp
- An uncounted host of fireworms, brittle stars and other hidden beasties laying in wait of their share
- A Black Long Spined urchin

... all competing for that half of a gram of ground pellets. They've all been there for going on 10 months now and seem to be getting plenty to eat.

I do supplement feeding of the crab and urchin by giving each about a 3/4" square of sushi nori about once or twice a week by hand ... i.e., it's not just flung into the tank, I actually dangle the piece in front of the crab while he dances to try to grab it, and [carefully] push a wadded up piece into the urchins mouth area. I also feed the fish about a third of a frozen cube of "algae-fied" brine shrimp about two to three times per week.

I vacuum up a fair amount of detritus from the crushed coral bed once per week during a five [out of 43] gallon water change. So far the tank has remained pristine and most un-problematic.

Not sure if any of the above helps or hinders. Hopefully you can find something of use to craft your own set of husbandry duties ... good luck!

12/30/2016, 10:46 AM	#1
newbcube Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Posts: 25	Nassarius snails I've read on here quite a bit that you shouldn't add nassarius snails as a part of the initial clean up crew since they will be no food. Is there a rule of thumb or any signal that it's okay to add them? Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

12/30/2016, 10:52 AM	#2
vhuang168 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 2,136	When you start feeding fish. They eat food that drops to the sand. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ Vincent 40g custom AIO --> DSA190Pro

12/30/2016, 11:54 AM	#5
TheOtherDB Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Greeley, Colorado Posts: 108	I've had two Nassarius snails that started out in a brand new, not yet "cycled" 5 gallon pico tank about two years ago. I still have the same two, in fact it looks like they've bred because every once in a while I see a small third moseying about. I feed a variety of food, but twice a day I spread a pinch of my own blend of dried food, some of which hits the bottom. The "zombie" snails come up out of the crushed coral and start to forrage for bits ... so does the crab, fire worms and brittle stars. I have zero nitrates ... and zero algae save for the pink, coraline variety and the crop of caulerpa I keep in the refuge. If there's anything absolute in this hobby, it is that possibilities and outcomes are endless. Each system is different. Each philosophy has its own merits. Each of us has to persist to find out which combination of variables is going to work where our particular set of stars line up. __________________ db ~ "Is it wrong to think that a swimming pool should be filled with sea water?" ________________________________________________________________ Current Tank Info: RedSea Reefer 170, 43 gallon system, 34 gals in the display. AI Prime LED light. Stocked with fish, SPS, LPS, inverts and more. Set up March 2016 during a move up from a 10 gallon pico tank.

12/30/2016, 12:42 PM	#8
TheOtherDB Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Greeley, Colorado Posts: 108	... cherished pets, actually. It turns out, they make great janitors as well. Who knew? Take care of your pet janitors and they will take care of you. __________________ db ~ "Is it wrong to think that a swimming pool should be filled with sea water?" ________________________________________________________________ Current Tank Info: RedSea Reefer 170, 43 gallon system, 34 gals in the display. AI Prime LED light. Stocked with fish, SPS, LPS, inverts and more. Set up March 2016 during a move up from a 10 gallon pico tank.

12/30/2016, 01:44 PM	#11
TheOtherDB Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Greeley, Colorado Posts: 108	CrayolaViolence: "...rather not treating money as if it doesn't already have a very high evaporation rate." Which is why one should always keep a tightly secured lid over the jar in which one keeps their money. __________________ db ~ "Is it wrong to think that a swimming pool should be filled with sea water?" ________________________________________________________________ Current Tank Info: RedSea Reefer 170, 43 gallon system, 34 gals in the display. AI Prime LED light. Stocked with fish, SPS, LPS, inverts and more. Set up March 2016 during a move up from a 10 gallon pico tank.

12/30/2016, 11:12 AM	#3
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	+1, as soon as you start feeding the fish the snails will come up out of the sand to eat whatever falls to the sand bed. I would start with just a few (or one depending on your tank size) and then add a few more maybe three months down the road.

12/30/2016, 11:34 AM	#4
Reincarnate Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: California Posts: 122	I agree with the above, but then again food shouldn't be hitting the ground in the first place IMO. It's all about portion size. Also, don't forget about the bristle worms either. Much more efficient at picking up the scraps then a Nassarius snail.

12/30/2016, 11:57 AM	#6
scooter31707 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Virginia Posts: 4,971	I use the .5mm New Life Spectrum pellets and put some in the tank at lights out about every 3 days. I noticed mines really becomes active when the light go out.

12/31/2016, 07:55 AM	#15
TheOtherDB Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Greeley, Colorado Posts: 108	Hey, GoVols ... We are here for YOUR entertainment! Please leave your tip in the tightly sealed jar~ __________________ db ~ "Is it wrong to think that a swimming pool should be filled with sea water?" ________________________________________________________________ Current Tank Info: RedSea Reefer 170, 43 gallon system, 34 gals in the display. AI Prime LED light. Stocked with fish, SPS, LPS, inverts and more. Set up March 2016 during a move up from a 10 gallon pico tank.

12/31/2016, 09:02 AM	#16
lukewithcats Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2016 Posts: 19	i added a few and didn't add them until i had fish being fed but i only have 3 smallish fish and they are just getting flake and I fear the nassarius are not finding enough food, i could over feed but obviously would rather not. I'm having the same issue with hermit crabs. I wish I had waited longer on the hermits and nassarius snails. When I feed the fish the nassarius come out the sand but they seem to just roam around randomly wishing they could find food and are even taking to climbing the glass as I think their syphons are leading them upwards to where the flake is more concetrated at the start at least. Any ideas what I could use to supplement feed blue leg hermits and nassarius snails that won't pollute my water?

12/31/2016, 08:00 PM	#17
TheOtherDB Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Greeley, Colorado Posts: 108	Hey, Luke ... I'm not sure how to answer your question directly [or that I really even know the answer], but I have 5 small-ish fish and I feed them twice per day, I'd say its less than half of a gram in total. It's not flake food, but rather a blend of pelleted food that I've mashed all together with a mortar and pestle. Some of it is algae pellets, some of it is broad spectrum, reef safe fish pellets, some of it is labeled specifically for coral. I think the main take away is that since its not flake food, and that I "wet rub" it into the water with my thumb and forefinger, it sinks fairly quickly. Some of it dissolves into minuscule particulates that the corals filter, some of it sticks together big enough for the fish to eat, some of it reaches the bottom where: - 3 Nassarius - 2 large Red Trochus - 1 Emerald crab with a quarter sized carapace - 1 Tiger Conch - 1 Peppermint Shrimp - An uncounted host of fireworms, brittle stars and other hidden beasties laying in wait of their share - A Black Long Spined urchin ... all competing for that half of a gram of ground pellets. They've all been there for going on 10 months now and seem to be getting plenty to eat. I do supplement feeding of the crab and urchin by giving each about a 3/4" square of sushi nori about once or twice a week by hand ... i.e., it's not just flung into the tank, I actually dangle the piece in front of the crab while he dances to try to grab it, and [carefully] push a wadded up piece into the urchins mouth area. I also feed the fish about a third of a frozen cube of "algae-fied" brine shrimp about two to three times per week. I vacuum up a fair amount of detritus from the crushed coral bed once per week during a five [out of 43] gallon water change. So far the tank has remained pristine and most un-problematic. Not sure if any of the above helps or hinders. Hopefully you can find something of use to craft your own set of husbandry duties ... good luck! __________________ db ~ "Is it wrong to think that a swimming pool should be filled with sea water?" ________________________________________________________________ Current Tank Info: RedSea Reefer 170, 43 gallon system, 34 gals in the display. AI Prime LED light. Stocked with fish, SPS, LPS, inverts and more. Set up March 2016 during a move up from a 10 gallon pico tank.