Melongena corona (crown conch) question

[Aaron1100us]

I just got one of these cool looking snails the other day and I'm trying to find some information on them. The thread below is where Dr. Shimek talked about them eating snails. I was told they eat algea but I believe Dr Shimek. I'm getting ready to set up a refugium. I just plan on having a DSB and some lr in there. Can I put these two crown conches in there? Will I have to feed them since they don't eat algea? Do any of you have them in your reef? They are really cool looking and I don't want to get rid of them but I don't want them to eat any of my snails or future clams. Thanks..

Dr.Ron's thread
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=166323&highlight=Melongena+corona

 

[Aaron1100us]

bump

 

[Aaron1100us]

bump

 

[Aaron1100us]

I have a small one gallon tank that I'm not using and it used to have fw in it. can I fill it up with SW from my tank and put these two crown conch snails in there untill I have a refugium set up for them? The tank has a UGF and a little gravel. I probably shouldn't keep them in my tank for much longer right? Thanks.

 

[Aaron1100us]

bump, hmmm, I'm replying to myself

 

[BigDaddy]

I hear they eat snails, but I've do know anyone that has one in their system. They should be fine in a fuge, but I don't know what they eat, you could try feeding chopped shrimp, clams and scallops.

 

[Aaron1100us]

Ok, thanks

 

[ocamrzr]

Melongena corona corona

Melongena corona corona

This is quite an interesting snail. I did my undergrad research on this very organism and that very snail is what got me involved in marine life. Their anatomy has not been clearly documented, I can't remember how many poor snails died under my dissceting scope.

Unfortunately, they are rather aggressive snails. They tend to bulldoze over anything in their path and love to dig deep into a sand bed. They have been known to eat other snails. THe good side is that they are very hard to kill.

So, I don't think they can safely be used in a reef tank and a DSB in a fuge probably shouldn't be bothered by them either.... I think they would fair pretty well in a FOWLER tank since they get so big and may help clean up.

Sorry to dissapoint, they are really beautiful snails.