Pyramid snail

[Montec24]

A few months ago I added a Crocea and a Maxima to my tank. They were both doing awesome, getting bigger and brighter, then about two weeks ago the Crocea started gaping and not looking so good. Within three days it was all over after it died the bristelworms took over. I did see a hole in the mantel where there should not be one but was not sure if this was the cause of it dieng or just from it disintegrating.

Today I came home and the maxima is not looking so great. I moved it to a different part of the tank and when it closed up I ticed what I think is a pyramid snail. I removed the snail of course. It is very small, and is very long compared to how small it is, it is spiraled. Is this a Pyramid?

If so then how do I treat this clam and get rid of any others there may be.

How did this snail get into the tank? if they only live on clams then what has it been feeding on all this time? Is there anything I can do to prevent this in the future? Is the Maxima a goner?

Very depressed.

 

[Montec24]

Just found a picture of a pyramid snail. Yup, thats what it was. Guess I will be checking this guy out regurlay for them. Anything else I can do?

 

[MiNdErAsR]

Check at night when they are most active. Also inspect the clam shell scutes for eggs (gelatinous masses). I fashioned a siphon from rigid and flexible air line, siphoning out the snails into a brine shrimp net over a bucket. When done siphoning, the water can then be returned to the tank. Worked well.

 

[Vili_Shark]

Yep,

Add some Pyramid snail terminators, if you have place for them.
6line wrasse.
Yellow wrasse ("coris")

If the clam is not attached, look for snails around the byssal, look very carefully on the shell scales.

 

[wakesetter]

I put a dissapearing wrasse and a orange sided wrasse in my 90 when I had a plague of 1000's of pyramid snails attacking my turbo's and astrea's. Within two weeks they were totally gone and my wrasses were very fat. Haven't seen one since

 

[Montec24]

Still only found just one. Been looking all the time now that I know what to look for. The clam is not looking great. Not great color, not full extension etc. Hoping for the best. Preparing for the worst.

Any chance a mandarin eats the snails to?

 

[Snail Guy]

Montec24, you asked how the snails were introduced into your tank. In reference to MiNdErAsR observations that the gelatinous egg masses are attached to the shell's scutes, perhaps this was the case when you added your clams?

MiNdErAsR, is this how they are typically inroduced? Can the adults just as easily be missed, perhaps embedding themselves between the clam's mantle and the shell, out of view? I'm curious.

Cheers,
Bob

 

[Montec24]

I did find the one under the clams mantle when it receeded.

 

[MiNdErAsR]

MiNdErAsR, is this how they are typically inroduced? Can the adults just as easily be missed, perhaps embedding themselves between the clam's mantle and the shell, out of view? I'm curious.

They can be introduced with the clam, or with your live sand. Typically they scatter in the sandbed during the day, emerging at night to feed on the clam. The egg masses can be easily missed as they are clear (for the most part). Much easier to spot if you remove the clam from the water. This is why it's so important to carefully inspect any new clam before introducing it to your system.

Yellow wrasse ("coris")

I believe the wrasse recommended by Daniel Knop (of "Giant Clams" fame) is a juvenile Coris formosa. However, this species of wrasse grows very large, and becomes aggressive. Good chance your clam and coral will become a target eventually.


HTH