hundreds of babies??

[Wallen]

Just looked into my tank after white lights went off and noticed what looked like 100's of baby ceriths snails. or could they be something else that might damage my zoas? If it helps on the glass the other day there was a long white string of possible eggs. Also, should I be worried that there are so many and might die off?

Thanks in advance

 

[Illuminati]

I'd guess Stomatella Snails. These are the fastest reproducing snails I've ever seen.

Did it look like they had shells or not?

 

[Wallen]

yes, it did look they had snails. should these be a problem with my zoas, or did i just happen to look in the tank at the right time to see them all?

 

[Paintbug]

i doubt they are ceriths unless you have absolutely no filtration, like a skimmer, sump, or HOB filter. ceriths start out as a larvae stage. at this point most of them will be eaten, or pulled out of the water by the skimmer or filter pads. this stage takes several days to a week before they become snails. at that point they are still super tiny. once they are snails, they are again easy prey for the fish and inverts. most of our tanks are to clean for them to survive even if they make it to the snail stage. they need lots of small algaes to eat, and usually starve. its a rough life for a snail sometimes . but ceriths do make it once in a while. just not often, or in the numbers you described.

my guess would be either pyramid snails, or rissoid snails. heres a little info on both.
http://www.reefland.com/rho/2006/05/identify_rissoid_pyramidellid_snails.php
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=489644&highlight=Pyramid+snail

in order to find out for sure however, you will about have to get a microscopic pic of them.

 

[dc]

Agree with Paintbug, probably pyramids. It depends on where you are seeing them as to whether they are harmful. If they are in your sand, possibly they are detritus or such eaters. I've had several kinds, good and snail eaters, and they all looked the same to me.