How to get rid of Vermetid Snails?

KYREEFMAN · 03/31/2009, 06:11 PM

I just got about a 16 polyp frag of some high end zoas.. i noticed that one side of it, maybe 3 or 4 polyps arent extending as much and just seem really bothered.. i then noticed a small white, rope lookin thing swinging around and that appeared to be what was botherin em.. i did some research and im fairly sure its a vermetid snail if it doesnt sound like one then let me know and i can prolly get some pictures but i cant seem to find how to rid of them?.. any input me and my frag will greatly appreciate it.. thanks again reef central community..

Chris

46FiatYamaha · 03/31/2009, 07:08 PM

it's not a tried and true method, but my blue leg hermits have seriously lowered the number of vermetids in my tank. Some people say they have had good results super glueing the ends of the tubes as well

KYREEFMAN · 03/31/2009, 07:13 PM

ya ive only got about 6 blue legs in a 30 gallon display.. ill try puttin some more.. but do u kno if it will ultimately kill the zoanthid frag? thanks

drummereef · 03/31/2009, 08:11 PM

Manual removal or starve their food source are the ways I've found to work. Unfortunately starving the food source means feeding less. Don't know if your tank can tolerate that or not.

46FiatYamaha · 03/31/2009, 08:14 PM

I've never had and harm from them (that I know of) but I wouldn't consider them harmless either from my experience

Zeus2 · 03/31/2009, 09:50 PM

I've heard their webbing will harm your coral if left on them. Super glue works the best. If you break them off, they typically retract back into the rock and just start over. I've seriously decreased the amount that is visible in my tank, but there are more than plenty that I'll never get too. Good luck.

Anemonebuff · 03/31/2009, 10:01 PM

Sometimes too many web nets will force a coral too close up, if this persists then it will starve the coral over time.

KYREEFMAN · 04/01/2009, 02:42 PM

ha im sorry, whats a lawn gnome?.. never heard that term as it relates to reefing.. and i appreciate all the feedback, im gonna try a lil bit of everything..thanks

engine · 04/01/2009, 02:55 PM

I have the same problem with these....I hear that a Copper band butterfly may eat them

46FiatYamaha · 04/01/2009, 05:04 PM

LOL kyreefman

MartinEric · 04/01/2009, 07:34 PM

I had a few when I started out and I always ground the tubes up with my fingers, or a set of tongs. I still have a couple they really dont create to much harm unless its prolonged netting of the nearby corals food, or if they get to wide spread.

engine · 04/01/2009, 10:32 PM

Ive been doing some reading. A few possibilities might be the zebra hermit and leopard wrasse.

I might give them a try. Any success stories with these snails?

03/31/2009, 06:11 PM	#1
KYREEFMAN Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Lexington,KY Posts: 126	How to get rid of Vermetid Snails? I just got about a 16 polyp frag of some high end zoas.. i noticed that one side of it, maybe 3 or 4 polyps arent extending as much and just seem really bothered.. i then noticed a small white, rope lookin thing swinging around and that appeared to be what was botherin em.. i did some research and im fairly sure its a vermetid snail if it doesnt sound like one then let me know and i can prolly get some pictures but i cant seem to find how to rid of them?.. any input me and my frag will greatly appreciate it.. thanks again reef central community.. Chris

03/31/2009, 08:11 PM	#4
drummereef Team RC Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: STL Posts: 14,754	Manual removal or starve their food source are the ways I've found to work. Unfortunately starving the food source means feeding less. Don't know if your tank can tolerate that or not. __________________ -Brett 180g Marineland Starfire In-Wall 278 gallon system

04/01/2009, 07:34 PM	#11
MartinEric Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Middle O' Missouri Posts: 189	I had a few when I started out and I always ground the tubes up with my fingers, or a set of tongs. I still have a couple they really dont create to much harm unless its prolonged netting of the nearby corals food, or if they get to wide spread. __________________ __________ Eric "Just A Couple Of Pints And A Sing Song" Current Tank Info: 15gal long, 2x65w Pc, Remora HOT skimmer, softies no fish. 30gal breeder, 6x39w t-5, Remora HOT skimmer, Mixed reef. 20gal long, 2x65w Pc, frag tank.

03/31/2009, 07:08 PM	#2
46FiatYamaha Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Matthews NC Posts: 990	it's not a tried and true method, but my blue leg hermits have seriously lowered the number of vermetids in my tank. Some people say they have had good results super glueing the ends of the tubes as well

03/31/2009, 07:13 PM	#3
KYREEFMAN Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Lexington,KY Posts: 126	ya ive only got about 6 blue legs in a 30 gallon display.. ill try puttin some more.. but do u kno if it will ultimately kill the zoanthid frag? thanks

03/31/2009, 08:14 PM	#5
46FiatYamaha Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Matthews NC Posts: 990	I've never had and harm from them (that I know of) but I wouldn't consider them harmless either from my experience

03/31/2009, 09:50 PM	#6
Zeus2 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 284	I've heard their webbing will harm your coral if left on them. Super glue works the best. If you break them off, they typically retract back into the rock and just start over. I've seriously decreased the amount that is visible in my tank, but there are more than plenty that I'll never get too. Good luck.

03/31/2009, 10:01 PM	#7
Anemonebuff Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: LI,NY Posts: 3,877	Sometimes too many web nets will force a coral too close up, if this persists then it will starve the coral over time.

04/01/2009, 02:42 PM	#8
KYREEFMAN Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Lexington,KY Posts: 126	ha im sorry, whats a lawn gnome?.. never heard that term as it relates to reefing.. and i appreciate all the feedback, im gonna try a lil bit of everything..thanks

04/01/2009, 02:55 PM	#9
engine Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Orlando Posts: 312	I have the same problem with these....I hear that a Copper band butterfly may eat them

04/01/2009, 05:04 PM	#10
46FiatYamaha Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Matthews NC Posts: 990	LOL kyreefman

04/01/2009, 10:32 PM	#12
engine Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Orlando Posts: 312	Ive been doing some reading. A few possibilities might be the zebra hermit and leopard wrasse. I might give them a try. Any success stories with these snails?