fireworm eating Cone snail

[Gary Majchrzak]

Here is an interesting switch-up from the usual Tridacna questions found in this forum: a link that shows pictures of Conus regius {a living Cone shell}attacking and eating a big fireworm {Hermodice} in an aquarium.
http://www.seashell-collector.com/aquarish/regius/regius.htm
These Cones are worm eaters. Some Cones eat fish.
Conus have venomous "harpoons". You want to avoid getting stung by one if it hitch-hikes in on your liverock.
How many people that visit this forum maintain aquariums specifically for unusual mollusks?

 

[Snail Guy]

Hi Gary,

As you know, I have an interest in cones. Their care is simple, provided you can provide for their diet. Wanted to share a few images of a Conus aureus (a snail-eating species) preying upon a small conch (Strombus maculatus) photographed several months ago.

To describe the events, the cone pursued the conch which was at the top of the aquarium. It was rather direct in its approach and stung it in no time. The conch immediately dropped to the bottom of the tank, kicking about for a few minutes. The cone came back down upon it, while it remained on the glass, and stung it a second time. Once more, the conch kicked around again for a short bit. The cone then picked up the conch with its mouth...all the while remaining on the aquarium glass. In about 15 minutes, the animal was consumed, the shell discared and the cone promptly retired itself back into the sand.

The two upper images shows the probiscus extended and envenomating the prey (with it's dart-shaped radula, not really visible). The lower image is difficult to make out but the conch is being held in place while its probiscus is consuming the conch within its shell.

As fascinating as this was to watch, I eventually let this guy go after keeping it for about 8 months. I've kept other species since, including Conus tulipa and Conus geographus. I've got a few shots of them on my website. Their sting can kill people, so they are not at all recommend. The Tulip Cone is still alive and I intend to release it very soon. I've been feeding it blennies. Sadly, the Geography Cone died. Not certain as to why, it appeared to be fine and was actively feeding. I just recently dissected it (very carefully I might add) to extract its radula, 34 in all. They average about 10mm in length and resemble tiny little harpoons.

All said, cones are really not recommended for reef tanks but they are quite fascinating. Hope this is of interest! The website you point to is wonderful, here's another recommended link.
Bruce Livett's Cone Shell Conotoxins at
http://grimwade.biochem.unimelb.edu.au/cone/main.html


Cheers,
Bob

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

Thanks for the reply, Bob. The pics you provided in this thread and others on your website are great.
For those that are not aware, Strombus maculatus {the small snail in the above picture being preyed upon by the Cone} is a great snail to have in your reef aquarium. It grazes on microalgae and reproduces quite readily.
Stomatella are similar in usefullness and captive reproduction.
{Your LFS would probably not appreciate you knowing these facts!}
Anyone have other suggestions for unusual snails that might potentially be reef aquarium compatible?

Here's a link to a pic of one Stomatella species. They appear to be small Abalones when the snail is inside the shell.
http://www.gastropods.com/4/Shell_2424.html

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

Recent news on Cone snails regarding their use in medicine:
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2003/10/1016_031016_conesnails.html#main

 

[Snail Guy]

Hi Gary,

I, like many other shell collectors, felt this article truly misrepresented collectors.

I refer you to the CONCH-L archive for this week, within in which is a there is a thead (Wonder Drug) with added insight.

http://www.listserv.uga.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A1=ind0310c&L=conch-l#19

In particular, is a response from Bruce G. Livett, PhD who is quite actively involved with the study of conotoxins.

http://www.listserv.uga.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A2=ind0310c&L=conch-l&F=&S=&P=4134

You may also wish to visit his website at:
http://grimwade.biochem.unimelb.edu.au/cone/

Cheers,
Bob

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

Thanks for the great links, Bob. I learned a lot.
Did I read right... somewhere in one of those links I saw it saying that Cones will not reproduce in captivity without a special diet consisting of phytoplankton. Don't Cones feed upon fish, worms or other mollusks?

 

[Snail Guy]

Hi Gary,

Had to look this one up. Referring to Manual of Living Conidae, Vol 1: Indo-Pacific Region by Röckel, Horn and Kohn, in their Glossary section, I was able to find this out on page 36.

Cones that have planktonic or free swimming stage (veligers) are planktotrophic, that is they feed upon plankton.

Something I never considered and a very good question!

Depending on species, yes, adults are most certainly specialized to feed upon mollusks, worms, or fish.

Cheers,
Bob

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

Thanks again. I'd love to get a worm eating Cone for my "worm infested" refugium. Any speculation how detrimental one Cone could be to a heavy worm population?
I sometimes see small Murex arrive on quality liverock.
I know these can be destructive if unleashed in my reef aquarium.
I've always loved shells. Fortunately, it just so happens many shells occur in reef envirionments. I'd love to add some living 'reef compatible' ones to my main display.
Any suggestions?

 

[Snail Guy]

Hey Gary,

From what I've read, the majority of vermivorous cones tend to be specialist, preferring polychaetes.

As for a worm-infested tank, I suppose a vermivorous cone or two introduced into a small reef system may provide a short-term advantage and then, over time, they would likely need to be removed. With very large reef tanks, it's conceivable that one or two may be kept within the system indefinitely, alway keeping a worm population in check. And then that might be considered beneficial. All speculation.

As to which species to try, it's a tough question and perhaps less daunting a task if the list could be narrowed down to those available.

Are any commonly available for sale? I would guess most are introduced as hitchhikers.

By the way, the molluscivores and piscovores are more opportunistic. For instance, my Conus aureus had showed preferences towards Cymatium and Strombus, maybe they were just easy prey. Less mobile than, for instance, Cypraea and Bursa. It managed to feed on these too but with a little more effort.

Cheers,
Bob

 

[Snail Guy]

Gary,

Another picture of interest. Took this while diving in Monterey, California of a Conus californicus preying upon polchaete.

I would have never noticed what was happening if it weren't for a small blenny trying to steal away with the worm. When I approached, it ditched out of site and I captured this image.
This was all during the day. The California Cone is diurnal.

Cheers,
Bob

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

The link to the California Cone is bad... perhaps you could fix it so I can see? Thanks for the continuing eduaction.
I guess it's fair to say that I like more than ice cream cones! [sorry, man- sic joke!]

 

[Snail Guy]

Gary, sorry about the bad link (attempted to use my yahoo briefcase, bad idea). Should work this time.

As for bad jokes...trust me when I tell you that I'm not much better.

Cheers,
Bob

 

[Turtlesteve]

I have a bunch of mouse cones (conus mus) from the florida keys that i keep in my sump and overflow. I don't know for sure if these eat worms or not because i've never caught one eating. However, i suspect they are responsible for a pile of strombus maculatus shells in the bottom of my overflow. I just think they are neat and add diversity to the tank, but i keep them out of the display because i don't want to even risk them stinging my clams.

later,
Steve

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

Here's a link showing Conus mus. How long have had these snails, Steve?
http://www.gastropods.com/9/Shell_679.html

 

[Turtlesteve]

That's the one. The ones i found most resemble the top photo. I've had them ever since early summer. I've also still got a deer cowrie and two zebra cowries, a sea urchin, a dozen cucumbers, a hawkwing conch, and 8 or so emrald crabs from the same trip, and i had more that was gradually given away. Nobody i've found so far wants cone shells so i've still got a bunch of them.

Later,
Steve

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

I would be interested in maintaining a Cone if it did not attack Strombus or other hebivorous snails.
Today I moved some of the sandbed in my aquarium and discovered a Mussel attached to the aquarium glass. What a pleasant surprise!

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

Bob- I need your help and I'm having a difficult time locating you.
What is this snail?