over run by snails!

keepsmesane · 07/05/2006, 11:02 AM

I think my snails are breeding! I saw a couple of my snails upside down in the bottom of the tank and I keep trying to to turn them back over so they can get crawling again, but they keep getting on their backs.
Then, a couple weeks later, I saw many, many, many new white spots and when I look closer they look like very small snails!
So, does this mean my snails are breeding!

Should I wait until they are big enough for me to catch and remove them all? If I wait until they are too big, will it through off my bioload?
Can I sell them or should I just throw them away?

thanks!

Avi · 07/05/2006, 12:07 PM

Well, your tank's a 25-gallon so you don't want too many snails in there. Just pull them out and discard them because IMO you shouldn't wait for all of them to get to a size that a fish store will give you any credit for. You can try though.

cw150 · 07/05/2006, 02:19 PM

White spots on your glass are not necessarily snail eggs. Take this as a positive sign that your tank is healthy.

CrystalAZ · 07/05/2006, 05:19 PM

I agree. I would NOT assume they are baby snails. They could be a lot of things. And even if they are baby snails, they could be hitchhiker snails that stay small.

If you get to a point where you need to get rid of them, definitely don't throw them away. Lots of new reefers and possibly your LFS would take them.

Crystal

Freed · 07/05/2006, 05:24 PM

I only wish my snails would breed. I've seen them on their backs way too many times to not have any babies popping out but they are still not putting out any babies. Send them to me if they are astreas or turbos.

itz frank · 07/05/2006, 06:09 PM

uhmm.. I'm not sure if snails breed on they're backs or even if they are hederosexual(spelling?). They might be asexual. But even still. I always found that new baby snails were quite pleasing when found.

bertoni · 07/05/2006, 06:13 PM

Some species are hermaphrodites and others have separate genders. Hard to say, in this case, but they could be reproducing.

Gary Majchrzak · 07/05/2006, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by keepsmesane
I think my snails are breeding! I saw a couple of my snails upside down in the bottom of the tank and I keep trying to to turn them back over so they can get crawling again, but they keep getting on their backs.
Then, a couple weeks later, I saw many, many, many new white spots and when I look closer they look like very small snails!
So, does this mean my snails are breeding!

Should I wait until they are big enough for me to catch and remove them all? If I wait until they are too big, will it through off my bioload?
Can I sell them or should I just throw them away?

thanks!

I would not jump to the conclusion that your snails are breeding because they were laying on their back.

You really need to try and identify your snails ASAP.
A snail population adjusts automatically to the availability of food and predation.

cw150 · 07/05/2006, 08:51 PM

... most likely spirobid worms

07/05/2006, 11:02 AM	#1
keepsmesane Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: indiana Posts: 54	over run by snails! I think my snails are breeding! I saw a couple of my snails upside down in the bottom of the tank and I keep trying to to turn them back over so they can get crawling again, but they keep getting on their backs. Then, a couple weeks later, I saw many, many, many new white spots and when I look closer they look like very small snails! So, does this mean my snails are breeding! Should I wait until they are big enough for me to catch and remove them all? If I wait until they are too big, will it through off my bioload? Can I sell them or should I just throw them away? thanks!

07/05/2006, 12:07 PM	#2
Avi Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Westchester County, NY Posts: 7,327	Well, your tank's a 25-gallon so you don't want too many snails in there. Just pull them out and discard them because IMO you shouldn't wait for all of them to get to a size that a fish store will give you any credit for. You can try though. __________________ I'd keep the whole ocean if my den were big enough Current Tank Info: 120 gallon reef with 210 lbs. of live rock, Aqua-C EV180 Skimmer, Aquactinic double 250W MH with blue plus t5 support; 58 gallon freshwater planted tank using CO2 and T5s; 30-gallon cube with a few fancy goldfish; and a 110 gallon FOWLR

07/05/2006, 05:19 PM	#4
CrystalAZ Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: NW Phoenix, AZ Posts: 4,130	I agree. I would NOT assume they are baby snails. They could be a lot of things. And even if they are baby snails, they could be hitchhiker snails that stay small. If you get to a point where you need to get rid of them, definitely don't throw them away. Lots of new reefers and possibly your LFS would take them. Crystal __________________ SAVE THE BRISTLEWORMS! The BPA reminds you that "Bristleworms are our pals." Current Tank Info: Check out my gallery for lots of tank pics

07/05/2006, 05:24 PM	#5
Freed It's what it's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: 41° 2' 45" N 85° 8' 43" W Posts: 7,579	I only wish my snails would breed. I've seen them on their backs way too many times to not have any babies popping out but they are still not putting out any babies. Send them to me if they are astreas or turbos. __________________ Freed Current Tank Info: 180gal(1120 watts of MH/VHO light), 60gal "sump", Deltec 601 calcium reactor, Euro Reef CS8-3+ skimmer, 20 gallon QT

07/05/2006, 06:13 PM	#7
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	Some species are hermaphrodites and others have separate genders. Hard to say, in this case, but they could be reproducing. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

07/05/2006, 02:19 PM	#3
cw150 Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: nw suburbs chicago Posts: 330	White spots on your glass are not necessarily snail eggs. Take this as a positive sign that your tank is healthy.

07/05/2006, 06:09 PM	#6
itz frank Gives Bad Advice. Join Date: May 2006 Location: Ft Lauderdale, FL Posts: 2,168	uhmm.. I'm not sure if snails breed on they're backs or even if they are hederosexual(spelling?). They might be asexual. But even still. I always found that new baby snails were quite pleasing when found.

07/05/2006, 08:51 PM	#9
cw150 Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: nw suburbs chicago Posts: 330	... most likely spirobid worms