Need quick IDs please!

mattnbecs · 06/04/2009, 03:16 PM

I was just cleaning the glass after 2 weeks away, when i noticed two things one one of my snails:

1) The clump of little white snails half way up the left side of the snail. Are those Pyram snails? I don't have a tridacna clam yet, but plan to in the future so, I need to find out.

2) this one might a little hard. at the bottom of the snail there is what looks like a flat slug. Maybe a nudibranch? you can see in the 3 pictures linked below that it has moved in between pictures. Is it predatory? Should I remove it before it disappears never to be seen again?

http://s299.photobucket.com/albums/m...t=DSCN8204.jpg

http://s299.photobucket.com/albums/m...t=DSCN8205.jpg

http://s299.photobucket.com/albums/m...t=DSCN8203.jpg

Thanks
Matteo

Whys · 06/04/2009, 04:04 PM

Apparently there are different kinds of pyramid snails and not all feed on clams. Typically you can only get clam eating snails from another infected clam. Here is a good article...

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2008-02/nftt/index.php

There are other types that only prey on larger snails. Also look up Rissoid snails. They can appear very similar.

I don't see the slug.

jbax · 06/04/2009, 09:24 PM

are you talking about the bristle worm

SKremk · 06/04/2009, 11:14 PM

The slug-like thing looks like a polyclad flatworm. Many are predatory and eat things like snails, so you should get it out ASAP.

SKremk · 06/04/2009, 11:18 PM

I took the liberty of circling it so it's easier to see

phil519 · 06/04/2009, 11:25 PM

the snails - the fact that the snails are on the astrea is (in my opinion) a sign that they are parasitic, feeding off the bigger snail.

Not sure what the answer is other than manual removal. A few fish like the coris wrasse may eat some - but the issue is that the fish is active in the day time and the snails are typically out at night - plus the fish ignores egg saks as far as i know.

Try posting the pics in the invert forum...maybe someone from team rc can help more.

As far as the slug-like thing on the bottom of the snail - at first I was going to say it kinda looks like a chiton - but the more i look at it - it does appear like some kind of flatworm/slug. I'd pull it to try and get a better macro pic if possible.

Good luck - got some interesting hitchers in there!

Sugar Magnolia · 06/05/2009, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by SKremk
The slug-like thing looks like a polyclad flatworm. Many are predatory and eat things like snails, so you should get it out ASAP.

Agreed. Remove the flatworm and the small snails ASAP. Judging by how many of those snails are on the larger snail, you may have to do a daily check on all of your larger snails for a while to be sure you've gotten all of them.

06/04/2009, 03:16 PM	#1
mattnbecs Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Seattle Posts: 142	Need quick IDs please! I was just cleaning the glass after 2 weeks away, when i noticed two things one one of my snails: 1) The clump of little white snails half way up the left side of the snail. Are those Pyram snails? I don't have a tridacna clam yet, but plan to in the future so, I need to find out. 2) this one might a little hard. at the bottom of the snail there is what looks like a flat slug. Maybe a nudibranch? you can see in the 3 pictures linked below that it has moved in between pictures. Is it predatory? Should I remove it before it disappears never to be seen again? http://s299.photobucket.com/albums/m...t=DSCN8204.jpg http://s299.photobucket.com/albums/m...t=DSCN8205.jpg http://s299.photobucket.com/albums/m...t=DSCN8203.jpg Thanks Matteo

06/04/2009, 11:14 PM	#4
SKremk Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Redlands, CA Posts: 529	The slug-like thing looks like a polyclad flatworm. Many are predatory and eat things like snails, so you should get it out ASAP. __________________ -Scott Current Tank Info: 180 gallon mixed reef, 3x250w Belize sun fixture, SWC 180 skimmer, 2 MP40

06/04/2009, 11:25 PM	#6
phil519 Got Rotifers? Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NJ Posts: 2,760	the snails - the fact that the snails are on the astrea is (in my opinion) a sign that they are parasitic, feeding off the bigger snail. Not sure what the answer is other than manual removal. A few fish like the coris wrasse may eat some - but the issue is that the fish is active in the day time and the snails are typically out at night - plus the fish ignores egg saks as far as i know. Try posting the pics in the invert forum...maybe someone from team rc can help more. As far as the slug-like thing on the bottom of the snail - at first I was going to say it kinda looks like a chiton - but the more i look at it - it does appear like some kind of flatworm/slug. I'd pull it to try and get a better macro pic if possible. Good luck - got some interesting hitchers in there! __________________ Phil NJ reefers club Current Tank Info: 120 RR Mixed Reef, Custom 40G sump, started Nov 2008. "Are you suggesting that coconuts migrate?"

06/04/2009, 04:04 PM	#2
Whys Moved On Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 3,263	Apparently there are different kinds of pyramid snails and not all feed on clams. Typically you can only get clam eating snails from another infected clam. Here is a good article... http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2008-02/nftt/index.php There are other types that only prey on larger snails. Also look up Rissoid snails. They can appear very similar. I don't see the slug.

06/04/2009, 09:24 PM	#3
jbax Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: palm harbor Posts: 1,425	are you talking about the bristle worm

06/04/2009, 11:18 PM	#5
SKremk Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Redlands, CA Posts: 529	I took the liberty of circling it so it's easier to see