pyramid snail control

[graffyn01]

Ok, What is everyones opinion on the best method for control .

1. six-line wrasse
2. leopard wrasse
3. juv red coris
4. open for suggestions


Why choose one over the other? I also do not want to decimate my pods, but I don't mind losing a few. I want something that remains peacful and reef safe.

I currently do not have any, but I want to be safe just in case.

[Peabody]

The problem with those guys is that they are hit-or -miss.

I had success with manual removal, myself.

[holeinone1972]

Manual removal is great as long as you do not have a 200 gallon reef and a slew of clams. Once you have an infestation they are a real pain in the clam.

If you have Astreas keep lucking them off the glass when they wander buy, and clean the Pyramids off of them. Every little bit helps.

Best of luck, Rob

[Danables]

now do these snails eat only clams? or do they eat other things too, ive been picking them off by hand but every month their back! will they ever go away

[holeinone1972]

Check your astrea snails too if you have them. They will eat other snails.

[Critter!]

What about pseudochromis? I have one and he sure seems like the kinda dude that would go after snails while they are small.

[cromax]

Critter,

El species Pseudochromis, in my experience, only goes after tasty polychaetes. They had no appetite for pyramid snails.

Danables,

If the pyramids are well established in your sytem, you will have a heck of a time getting rid of them. As holeinone said, they go after astreas as well. But most importantly, once the little buggers lay eggs and the eggs hatch, you now have larval free swimming pyramid snails as part of your plankton population.

If you have a real problem, consider removing all pyramid snail hosts and UV sterilizing your water. OOPS!! did someone say the unsayable?? UV??? Yes, UV. After a few weeks your snail problem should disappear.

[graffyn01]

Dang, and I have a Splendens Pseudochromis. I was hopful that he would eat the pyramid snails.

[cromax]

Graffyn, go with the juv. red coris. They have always worked well for me. Knop would recommend the same. As Peabody said, most of the other choices are sometimes flaky at controlling pyramids. Manual removal and Coris are your best defense against these clam freeloaders.

The only problem, or perhaps not a problem, is that if you have small clams in rock substrate, ~2" or less, Coris will knock them over to try and find tasty morsels underneath your clams near the byssal opening. Coris is very thorough!!

[graffyn01]

I like the idea of going with a juv. red coris, but will I have to remove him from the tank later? A task I am not looking forward to. My worst nightmare is removing fish from a reef tank.

The tank houses softies, clams and sps's.

[cromax]

I really can't comment on the exact size at which a red coris becomes unfriendly to reef inhabitants, since I only keep mine for a year to 2 years. I return mine to the LFS when I start to see the beginnings of a full yellow tail and increasing blue coloration near the tail. I don't like to take chances.

As for catching them - well, they are some of the hardest fish to catch. Not only are they quick and agile, they also bury themselves in the substrate and virtually dissapear. Catching one in a reef tank takes determination and a list of expletives that would do a sailor proud.

In my opinion, your reef safe hermit crabs have more to worry about with semi-adult Coris than anything else. And of course, any Coris exhibiting full adult coloration cannot be trusted around any clams.

[Danables]

as I of a couple of days ago I removed my clams and cleaned them off those dang snails! but instead of putting them back in the sand, I put them up high on the rock work and i looked at my turbo snails and i didnt see any snail on snail action. do you think ill trick the snail as if the clams are gone? and aout UV I was plainning on getting one for my pond, but what will happen to my reef if i hook it up?