Does anyone know what this is?

[meemmoo]

This has been on the side of my crocea and all I can say is it is hard and looks like something is living in it. I just want to find out if it is harmful.

 

[meemmoo]

I scraped the white callcerous stuff off and this is what I found. Any idea what kind of snail it is?

 

[Tennismurph]

Conch reef friendly?

Conch reef friendly?

I scraped the white callcerous stuff off and this is what I found. Any idea what kind of snail it is?

Best I can tell from your pics, I may have a few of these in my tank also. The LFS had one and thought it was a conch of some type. If it is a conch, then are they reef friendly?

 

[mbbuna]

if in doubt get ride of it.

 

[Snail Guy]

Nice close-up. The snail appears to be a small Marginellid. They are carnivores but, as far as I'm aware, not parasitic. So, your clam is likely safe from this little critter.

Marginellids, especially the "peppermint snail," turn up from time to time in the reef tanks. If there is just one or two cruising around, their impact is likely negligible.

I say all this with some caution however. There are many species (large and small, tropical and temperate, all around the world) and, as a whole, the group is poorly understood.

Cheers,
Bob

 

[meemmoo]

Thanks Bob- I could not find any info anywhere. I decided to take it out to be safe.

 

[Snail Guy]

A little caution is a good thing!

I kicked myself for forgetting...there are several tiny marginellids known to be parasitic on parrot fish. During night dives, I've spotted them crawling over the parrot fish's coccoon or directly over the gills. These particular ones have a more pear shaped shell, quite different really.

Cheers,
Bob