Empty Trochus Shell??

[Grimreaperz]

So today was doing roll call on my snails.
I saw one in yhe same position it was when I did morning roll call so I went to move it come to realize the shell was empty?! I only put these snails in 3 days ago. My question is if the shell is empty did something eat it? Do they leave their Shells and come back? I only have 5 (well 4 now) trochus. 2 bumble bee snails. And 1 skunk cleaner shrimp. I have noticed some big grey bristle worms and Some other worms and some vermitid snails...don't think these could eat snails?

Any help would be appreciated. Pretty stunned at where it went.

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[farfromsea]

I'm guessing it died and someone disposed of the body in the night. Unlike hermits I have never heard of a snail leaving their shell.

 

[Grimreaperz]

I'm guessing it died and someone disposed of the body in the night. Unlike hermits I have never heard of a snail leaving their shell.

Yeah I still can't find the other 2 trochus....turned the lights off in hoped they would rear their head. Would Brittle Stars hunt snails or kill them by any chance?

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[Grimreaperz]

Update: the other snails have been roll called only that 1 that seems to be dead/MIA I removed the shell.

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[farfromsea]

I don't have personal experience with brittle stars but poking around on the internet seems to indicate that green brittle stars have anecdotally been reported to eat snails, fish etc. Hopefully someone more knowledgeable about them will chime in.

But don't beat yourself up about the snail. Although I am personally attached to mine (ha!) it is difficult, I think, to assess their health or anything. Unless they all drop dead in the tank, a one-off situation isn't a big worry to me. That is...unless the brittle is the culprit. Then it may be hungry and need supplemental foods.

 

[Grimreaperz]

I don't have personal experience with brittle stars but poking around on the internet seems to indicate that green brittle stars have anecdotally been reported to eat snails, fish etc. Hopefully someone more knowledgeable about them will chime in.

But don't beat yourself up about the snail. Although I am personally attached to mine (ha!) it is difficult, I think, to assess their health or anything. Unless they all drop dead in the tank, a one-off situation isn't a big worry to me. That is...unless the brittle is the culprit. Then it may be hungry and need supplemental foods.

Yeah they were hitchhikers on my live rock about 4 of them still pretty small like 1/2 biggest one is brown/red and is about 1inch inch from tip of let to body.
I'll keep an eye out. I also just looked in my tank with a flash light and say this really thin long brown worm looking thing. Looks smoothing almost earth worm like and retracted as soon as I put the light on it. Trying to do research on what it is...

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[farfromsea]

I can't say for certainty without a picture but check and see if it is a eunicid worm. They can get quite large over time was just reading about a tank last night where that thing was responsible for a crash after quite a few years of success.

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/blog/if-you-thought-big-bristleworms-were-scary

Perhaps unlikely though

 

[jayball]

Perhaps unlikely though

I agree with this last part.

3 days after adding it could have been any number of things including not enough acclimation.

 

[scooter31707]

What fish are in the tank. Any Wrasses or Triggers?

 

[lifeoffaith]

Eunicid could definitely be the culprit if that happens to be what you saw. Do some reading on them, and don't go close to them with your fingers. They do hide during the day typically and come out at night, but they have quite the chompers.

 

[pbauec]

If it is a Eunice I would love to take him off your hands for a species tank. I'll happily pay for shipping.

 

[Grimreaperz]

Betting it was the massive Polyclad Flat worm I found the other day I think i have another snail MIA as well.....GRRR

 

[heathlindner25]

Snails die.... I wouldn't jump to such conclusions just yet. Sometimes you get a good batch that last for years, sometimes not. Any healthy bristle worm population, would clean it up over night.

 

[TauntingBeef]

might have been your bumble bee snails

 

[JoeyH08]

Yeah they were hitchhikers on my live rock about 4 of them still pretty small like 1/2 biggest one is brown/red and is about 1inch inch from tip of let to body.
I'll keep an eye out. I also just looked in my tank with a flash light and say this really thin long brown worm looking thing. Looks smoothing almost earth worm like and retracted as soon as I put the light on it. Trying to do research on what it is...

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Sounds like a peanut worm.

 

[Grimreaperz]

3 snails down finally caught it. Took one last look before bed tonight and he was balls deep in this snail....damn he was one of my biggest too. And most active....oh well small price to get this polyclad out.

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[Grimreaperz]

Sounds like a peanut worm.

Yeah I did research it definitely looks and behaves like a peanut worm. I will keep an eye on it.

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[Moeshi]

To add to the topic: Bumble bee snails may attack other snails if starved.

From LA:
"Though peaceful, keep in mind that the Bumble Bee Snail is a carnivore. If there is insufficient food, the Bumble Bee Snail may feed on other snails in your aquarium or indiscriminately consume polychaetes whether beneficial or the more troublesome bristleworm"

 

[Grimreaperz]

Noted there are tons of pods for them to feast on.

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