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Mark Peterson 
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 Topic: fabulous snails
Posted: April 11 2003 at 3:28pm |
A recent purchase of some Nassarius snails from The Pet Factory, next to Pier 1 across from Fashion Place Mall, revealed a fascinating organism.
I've only had them for a day. Jake suggested they were good detritovores.
This morning when I fed the tank, they emerged from the sand as through they were spring loaded. They just popped up! So they had been in the sand eating detritus and came out to see if they could find any bits of fresh food!
They are so cool, I think I'll buy some more, next time I'm at TPF! Thanks Jake!
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rfoote
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Posted: April 11 2003 at 3:30pm |
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How much are they?
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Jake Pehrson
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Posted: April 11 2003 at 4:07pm |
$.99
they are chestnut nassarius snails.
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ewaldsreef
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Posted: April 11 2003 at 9:54pm |
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I will have to give some of these a try. I have had bad luck with snails.
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Contact me for professional aquarium maintenance and localy grown coral frags. [URL=http://www.aquatitranquility.com][/URL]
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Shane H
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Posted: April 11 2003 at 11:24pm |
Coolest of the snails. I have some that come out almost on cue when I feed. Hundreds of dollars worth of corals and the thing my kids ask about are the elephant snails (with the trunks!)
That was the only thing my three year old could recognize when I was pointing out the snails (the siphon) I told her it was a trunk. She now calls them elephant snails.
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Mark Peterson
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Posted: April 16 2003 at 12:05am |
Quote: Originally posted by jfinch on 15 April 2003
After getting a few narssaus snails from Jake, I'm rethinking the utility of my sand star. Anyone have feelings regarding how much harm a star might be doing in a tank without a dsb (I've only got 1 inch of aragonite).
Jake, (or anyone else) I know we talked about the total number of snails needed but, do you think a pack of snails would work the sand as well as a star?
BTW, these guys are very fun to watch... they almost jump out of the sand bed and race around the tank looking for food.
It has been my understanding that Sand Sifting Stars eat the critters we would like to have in the sand. This understanding comes from the trusted experience of a former club president.
Nassarius snails are small but very fascinating and may be really beneficial to the tank. Mark
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John Fletcher
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Posted: April 23 2003 at 2:16pm |
"It has been my understanding that Sand Sifting Stars eat the critters we would like to have in the sand. This understanding comes from the trusted experience of a former club president."
This is a true statement. When Dr. Shimek gave his presentation to the club he stated this same thing. I took my sand star out and within a week or so my sand bed was crawling with critters. I have found that the sand bed looks better IMO. I tell everyone that they don't need the sand stars. I however recomend them in fish only tanks. I also took the one out of my fish only at work and found it was harder to keep the sand clear of red slim. The tank at work however is only a year old. My reef tank at home is almost five years old. I don't know if that has something to do with it.
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rfoote
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Posted: April 23 2003 at 2:23pm |
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Aren't Nassarius snails omnivores? I guess my thinking is aren't they eating basically the same good critters we like as a sand sifting star would be?
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John Fletcher
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Posted: April 23 2003 at 2:48pm |
They are, but I guess my thinking is. "I would rather have a small critter eating than a big mouth like a star." TIOMO
John Fletcher "ReefAquarist"
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rfoote
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Posted: April 23 2003 at 3:02pm |
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True!
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