Snails

BMorgan

BMorgan

AC Members
Jul 17, 2007
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Northern California
Another thread sparked a question in me :D

What type of snails are the best for a reef tank generally? I was sort of looking to cerith snails or nassarius snails but not sure. I have 1 Turbo snail right now but I want some different types.
 
A mix of snails really. You want ones that will address what particular issues your tank needs to deal with. Someone without a deep sand bed will not neccessarily chose the same ones as someone with a 2" bed, etc.
 
Here's an excert from my article in the marine article section of the different types of snails and what they commonly eat...

  • Turbo Snail – These are an algae eating snail. They will happily graze on the live rock or glass. One of the most common snails in the home aquaria.
  • Nerite Snail – These feed on Cyanobacteria, algae and detrius. A good scavenger snail.
  • Nassarius Snail – A real good scavenger snail as these will feed on fish waste, uneaten foods and decaying organics. People have mentioned these before to be a threat in the home aquarium by preying on a sick fish. However, the fish will normally be near enough dead before these snails start to consume the fish.
  • Trochus Snail – Very similar feeding habits of the Nerite snail as it will feed on Cyanobacteria, algae and detritus. Point to note with these is that they are usually unable to turn themselves over when upside down on the sand bed and does require human intervention.
  • Astraea Snail – Predominantly this is an algae grazer and will spend time either on the side of the aquarium or on the rock. Again, if these fall upside down on the sand bed, they will require human intervention.
  • Mexican Turbo Snail – Another of the most common snails in the home aquarium. This type of snail feeds a lot on film algae and will spend most, if not all of its time on the glass of the tank.
  • Cerith Snail – This type of snail is deemed as the best snail to have in the home aquarium due to the types of food this snail feeds on. This type of snail will feed on detrius, decaying matter, food waste, fish waste and many types of plague algae. This snail will spend all its time buried in the sand bed and will always surface when the tank is being fed.
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Hope that helps

Niko
 
Good post Niko.. I didn't know you were an author..

But I do agree I like a mix of snails.. I have ceriths, Nas's, Turbo's and Astreas.
I must admit though that my turbos and astreas spend a lot more time on the LR than the glass. But thats JME.
 
clown-lover said:
Good post Niko.. I didn't know you were an author..

But I do agree I like a mix of snails.. I have ceriths, Nas's, Turbo's and Astreas.
I must admit though that my turbos and astreas spend a lot more time on the LR than the glass. But thats JME.
Click to expand...

Actually concidering writing a short book...am i mad? must be !!

Niko
 
atnixon said:
Actually concidering writing a short book...am i mad? must be !!

Niko
Click to expand...

I'd buy it.. And then critique you on it :lipssealedsmilie:... Na j/k. I bet it would be a good read.
 
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