Bumble Bee snails for pest control (Vermetid Snails)

[kn240]

Vermetid snails , the way I control or wipe mine out was with the help of melanurus and leopard wrasse.
I had a 120g about 150lbs live rock infested with vermited snails. To the point of I can't pick up a piece of rock without them poking my hands. It was even on my sps and every other coral and clams.

Well one day I was crushing those snails up with a stick and both of the wrasse was following me everywhere I was smashing them as they were eating them as I go. I would do this everyday training them that there is food under the shell. What do you know, they were at it a few days later without my help.

These two wrasses were very friendly and doesn't hide like the other fish when I put my hand in the tank. Month or two, later the snails were gone. Keep in mind that my tank was literally infested, even on my powerhead.

 

[JB63]

Though I love wrasses (especially red coris) ... many are not reef/inverts safe and are constantly remodeling the aquascape. If you're considering wrasses, you can't have small LR ruble, frags (on sand or rock) and snails/shrimp. My last red coris killed a gorgeous red aussie blastomussa. It just picked it up, flipped it upside down and .... well, I was away for 2 weeks and the neighbor did not notice.

 

[madadi]

found it. this is one in my tank with lots of other snails and did well.

 

[ChipE]

found it. this is one in my tank with lots of other snails and did well.

So this eats them? are you 100% sure?
I'd probably pay 50$ for a snail that is proven to eat vermenteids (and prefers vermenteids).
I purchased a couple bumblebee snails. Never touched them"¦. Placed them on top of a group of 20, they just crawled away.

 

[becon776]

Its confusing for sure. But bumblebee snails are predatory. I worry BC my ceriths have been laying eggs all over lately. Fear that baby snails would be like an appetizer. Whatever. I'll buy 5-10 I guess and see what happens.

 

[ChipE]

Well the one pictured above is definitely not whats normally referred to as a "bumblebee snail". Still want to know if it eats vermenteids…I'll hunt one down.

 

[italquam]

Anyone ever figure out if that is a bumble bee in the picture

 

[madadi]

its not a bumble bee. its a type of whelk which i think bumble bees are also. mine was a hitchhiker and never grew bigger than a bumble bee.

 

[dread240]

have we identified the whelks that eat vermetids? And what else is on their diet?

 

[becon776]

God I feel like we may be getting somewhere!!!

 

[becon776]

I read a pretty long diatribe from a PhD all about whelks. He was not interested in aquaria and studied in ocean. But he definately mentioned vermetids. Tried to email him but it turns out he charges for that!

 

[Isayso]

So this eats them? are you 100% sure?
I'd probably pay 50$ for a snail that is proven to eat vermenteids (and prefers vermenteids).
I purchased a couple bumblebee snails. Never touched them"¦. Placed them on top of a group of 20, they just crawled away.

hi chipe!
did you get the snail at the LFS??
it looks very close to a nassarius snail.. of course the whelks are another big family too '

my tank is infested I wont mind pay a few bucks for them
thanks

Cheers

 

[Ant512]

I just added some bumblee bees. Will update if they work for verms.

 

[Isayso]

Thanks Ant512
Keep us posted

 

[DragonWarriorPo]

I just added some bumblee bees. Will update if they work for verms.

Where did u get them from?

 

[garwood]

reviving. anyone have any luck

 

[italquam]

I haven't been able to find anything to eradicate the vermatid snails

 

[Isayso]

I got a melanurus wrasse
He picked a few... but now seems that
Lost interest

 

[Dxpert]

I've got a huge population of vermatid snails, they are covering everything in the tank. I'm very interested to find something that kills them. I know this thread is quite old, but I'm hopeful that some bumble bee snails will help. I'll keep the thread updated if I find some.

 

[italquam]

Yes please let me know because my vermatid wont die