Whitebird1
New member
Bought 4 small Cowries and have them in a soft tank, anyone know if they are reef safe? I was just told that they may feed on mushrooms.
Greg
Greg
Cowries/ Reef Safe?
- Thread starter Whitebird1
- Start date
reefnewbie54321
In Memoriam
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-07/rs/index.php
"Cowries are in the genus Cypraea (1,2,3). This is another of the many huge groups of snails. There are about 500 species described in this genus, and some of them are quite excellent herbivores. Cowries are easily distinguished from all other snails. Their shell is basically ovoid, with the aperture on the bottom. This aperture is a slender opening, and lined on both sides by calcareous bumps or nodules. The shells are highly polished and often brightly colored, but the mantle that comes out and covers the shell when the animal is moving is often even more brightly colored. Simply put, they are beautiful animals worthy of investigation to find some that are appropriate as grazers for our aquaria.
Although seldom seen in the U. S., the money cowrie, Cypraea moneta, is both abundant in nature and an excellent herbivore. A similar species, the ring cowrie, Cypraea annulus, is likewise exceptionally common in many shallow reef environments, and is also herbivorous. These two species are small, about an inch in length, and do very well in marine aquaria. Tiger Cowries, Cypraea tigris, are also good herbivores, but they reach lengths of about four inches and are quite capable of rearranging unstable aquarium rock work. Many of the other cowrie species also may be good herbivores, but unfortunately we have little real data about their diets, and only a few non-herbivorous or very large species are commonly available. Many of the few cowries whose diets have been examined feed on sponges, tunicates, or soft corals, but the diets of most species are not known. These are beautiful animals, and as our information base grows, many of them should be acceptable as herbivores for our systems."
Let me point out the important part ....
"Many of the other cowrie species also may be good herbivores, but unfortunately we have little real data about their diets, and only a few non-herbivorous or very large species are commonly available. Many of the few cowries whose diets have been examined feed on sponges, tunicates, or soft corals, but the diets of most species are not known."
I have been looking for an online source for a money or ring cowrie and have yet to find one so I doubt you have one of the very few "good" cowries. I would keep an eye out especialy in a soft tank since that is a main part of the "bad" cowries diet.
"Cowries are in the genus Cypraea (1,2,3). This is another of the many huge groups of snails. There are about 500 species described in this genus, and some of them are quite excellent herbivores. Cowries are easily distinguished from all other snails. Their shell is basically ovoid, with the aperture on the bottom. This aperture is a slender opening, and lined on both sides by calcareous bumps or nodules. The shells are highly polished and often brightly colored, but the mantle that comes out and covers the shell when the animal is moving is often even more brightly colored. Simply put, they are beautiful animals worthy of investigation to find some that are appropriate as grazers for our aquaria.
Although seldom seen in the U. S., the money cowrie, Cypraea moneta, is both abundant in nature and an excellent herbivore. A similar species, the ring cowrie, Cypraea annulus, is likewise exceptionally common in many shallow reef environments, and is also herbivorous. These two species are small, about an inch in length, and do very well in marine aquaria. Tiger Cowries, Cypraea tigris, are also good herbivores, but they reach lengths of about four inches and are quite capable of rearranging unstable aquarium rock work. Many of the other cowrie species also may be good herbivores, but unfortunately we have little real data about their diets, and only a few non-herbivorous or very large species are commonly available. Many of the few cowries whose diets have been examined feed on sponges, tunicates, or soft corals, but the diets of most species are not known. These are beautiful animals, and as our information base grows, many of them should be acceptable as herbivores for our systems."
Let me point out the important part ....
"Many of the other cowrie species also may be good herbivores, but unfortunately we have little real data about their diets, and only a few non-herbivorous or very large species are commonly available. Many of the few cowries whose diets have been examined feed on sponges, tunicates, or soft corals, but the diets of most species are not known."
I have been looking for an online source for a money or ring cowrie and have yet to find one so I doubt you have one of the very few "good" cowries. I would keep an eye out especialy in a soft tank since that is a main part of the "bad" cowries diet.
Whitebird1
New member
Thanks for the info.
they do look like the money cowrie, Cypraea moneta. $ 3 bucks each.
Heres the store that has them if that helps you, ask for steave.
Greg
they do look like the money cowrie, Cypraea moneta. $ 3 bucks each.
Heres the store that has them if that helps you, ask for steave.
Greg
reefnewbie54321
In Memoriam
tiger cowries are one of the few good ones Its just as they get to be full grown (4") they might start to bulldoze stuff.
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