pyramid snails and large clams

[Steve Cuddeback]

Over the last month I noticed my maxima was not opening up like it use to. One morning I noticed alot of pyramid snails on the clam near its mantle. I have noticed snails on my other 7 clams in the 110 gallon clam tank. What is puzzling is that I have not added a clam to this tank in over 2 years. The only thing that was added was a hammer coral about 3 months ago. How did the snails get in the tank? The clams in this tank are huge ie 12 inch Derasa, 10 inch Gigas, etc. I know the recommended treatment is to remove the clams on a frequent basis and scrub the shells. This is not feasible due to physical limitations on my part. What are the best fish to rid my tank of these pests?

 

[quicksilverq]

I dont know any fish that eat the Pyramid snails I read and others may agree or disagree but you have to remove them manualy by hand untill you dont see any more they can also come in on snails ( also feed on snails ) and you will have to remove them also or they will reproduse and kill you clams and snails. I am sorry about you luck they are bad little buggers. good luck getting rid of them.

 

[skinz78]

Some wrasse's can eat them but the problem is that the snails are nocturnal and the wrasse's only come out during the day. So they don't see many of the snails during this time. Plus most wrasse's aren't clam safe.

The only way to rid them is manual removal done every other day at least. Like you said physically remove the one's you see then scrub the shells for the baby snails and eggs.

It is true they do feed on other snails but they are pretty speiecies specific. Only requiring one type of food input. If they are eating your clams they probably won't harm your other snails.

 

[KellyPug]

I think the yellow coris wrasse and sixline wrasse are supposed to eat pyramid snails but it's a hit or miss. My yellow coris ate them - my sixline wouldn't touch them. Not sure if these guys are clam safe though.

Good luck!

 

[GPhiAce]

The yellow coris is a hit or miss as far as being clam safe. Both of those wrasse are suppose to eat pyramid snails. Take another look at the snails to make sure they are actually pyramids and if so, that they are harming your clam. I thought I had them as well, because I say small snails that looked like them. Did some research and observations, and they were not. Look at your clam at night and see if they are feeding on it. Look through the wrasse on .... I think liveaquaria.com and many of them are labeled as pyramid eatters. They are hard to get rid of if you don't do manual removal. the fish will just keep the numbers in check if they eat them, not to mention, they will also have other food sources when you feed them. good luck.