Disappearing Snails

[oObubblesOo]

Hi I have a 12 gallon saltwater tank with one emerald crab , a few blue legged crabs, and one or two white legged crabs and one teeny starfish named Patrick. I use have 4 turbo snails and 4 narcissus snails, however all i have found lately is crabs in 3 of the 4 narcissus snails, i still have one of those, and all my turbo snail shells are empty.

I have two domino damsels as well, I feed spectrum marine pellets, and frozen brine shrimp. Should I be feeding something else? Are the crablettes eating my snails and taking over thier shells, I do supply extra shells and have since starting my tank for the crabs to grow into.

 

[djconn]

I find empty turbo snail shells all the time at the bottom of my tanks. I think they just die easier than most snail species. I've heard that before from other reefers.

 

[EcoSystem]

Some crabs will go after snails...Brittle Stars will eat fish and inverts as well sometimes (had it happen to me). But since i know your tank i doubt that is it.

I would go with what DJ said about them (Turbos) not being very hardy.
I have had ones that don't even make it out of the bag, and yet others that live long.

 

[oObubblesOo]

What are the best type of sea snails then?

 

[EcoSystem]

Well i sware by the Turbos...

 

[incysor]

I don't really care for turbos...I've never really had too much trouble with my mini blue legs going after snails, although I've heard others have had problems with it. I periodically drop empty shells in my tank though so that the crabs can change shells as they get bigger...I also like cerith snails so they're generally smaller than the crabs, so there's less incentive for the crabs to go after them for their shells.

B

 

[EcoSystem]

Well i was refering to other larger crabs that bubbles has. Yes i agree i have never known the blue or red leg to go after snails.

Hmmm...how are the Cerith at algae control? I might try them next time.

-Eco

 

[oObubblesOo]

I'm not sure about Certh i have never heard of them. I'm pretty sure my lfs could give me a wide range of snails, and prices so hopefully they will have something there that might help me.

 

[EcoSystem]

Here is some Cerith snail info Bubbles.

http://www.reefcorner.com/SpecimenSheets/cerithSnail.htm

-Eco

 

[oObubblesOo]

Thanks Eco you're a sweetheart

 

[EcoSystem]

Heh...Thanks Bubbles

-Eco

 

[blastprimo]

If you have some time to start doing some reading this is a good set of articles on fish tank snails

section 1
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rs/index.htm

Section 2
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-06/rs/index.htm

Section 3
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-07/rs/index.htm

Hope those help a little.

 

[oObubblesOo]

Thanks for the info blast its great

 

[shaggydoo541]

I personally value my cerith snails over any other type. I have turbos (only gripe with them is they knock over some of my LPS corals and other aquascaping), bumblebees, ceriths, nass, and astrea. I wanted to get a wide variety to see which ones I found to be most effective. Overall the ceriths burrow under the sand occasionally, clean the glass and rockwork, and don't knock over everything in my tank. For these three reasons I would recommend ceriths over any other snails for cleanup.

 

[dragon79]

i have a margarita snail and various N. Snails. I am considering more, the cerith snail sounds like a great addition, also another good one I heard is that red footed snail. I guess variety is the key.