Pyramid snails only on Astreas?

maxxII

maxxII

Super Housemonkey!
Earlier today I saw pyramid snails on one of my Astrea snails. Tonight, I pulled out as many of the Astrea's as I could find(I only have 7 and found all of em I think), and scrubbed off about 100 or so pyramid snails.

I also pulled out one of my two Mexican Turbo snails, (couldnt find the other) and found NO pyramid snails on it.

I have 3 clams in this tank, (58 gallon BB SPS reef), a Crocea, a Maxima, and a Derasa. The Derasa is the largest being approx 6-7 inches in length, the crocea is next being approx 5 inches in length, and finally the Maxi is only about 1.5 inches in length. The Maxi sits on the bottom of the tank, because it wont attach to anything and keeps getting knocked over. I pulled it out because it was easiest to get to and didnt see any pyramid snails on it, and close visual examination of the other two (left in tank) didnt show any signs of pyramid snails.

I've heard conflicting stories regarding this pest. One side says if they're on snails, they wont go to clams as they are host specific. The other says they're equal opportunity and will go where the food is.

Does anyone have a real idea what the truth is?

Nick
 
Pics

pyram_snails3-1.jpg


pyram_snails3-2.jpg


I dont have a macro lense, so this is the best I could do under the circumstances. They are sort of off white, some are kinda grey-ish....if it helps any.

Nick
 
that is a great question Max!!

i have never seen any hard evidence ether way. some people say that they only feed on only snails or clams or what ever(obligate feeders).but i do know that there are over 1000 types of pyrams. and i have heard of people saying that pyram snails that were on snails , jumped (for lack of a better term) to clams.

it seems very reasonable to me that there are a few types of pyrams that can/will feed on clams/snails
 
Highlander,
How many times have you dealt with pyram snails?

Chirs&Barb, I had no idea there were more than one species of pyram snail. I just sorta figured they were equal opportunity munchers of clams and snails as thats what I'd heard from others.
I'd REALLY LOVE IT if I had a host specific type. That would be really nice.

Dr Ron's not here anymore, anyone have a good idea who I could ask for a definative answer?

Nick
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7100574#post7100574 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by maxxII
Highlander,
How many times have you dealt with pyram snails?
Click to expand...

In the past, I've seen pyramids on astreas and on clams.
The pyramids affecting the two were definitely different species, different size and shape.
I also noted that the snails on the clams, attacked only croceas and disregarded derasas.

FWIW, many of the reef safe wrasse will eat pyramids.
IME six line, and china wrasse will for certain.
 
I'm not typically a Dr Ron fan, but the man definately knows his worms and snails....

Pyramid Snail or Something Else?

According to a post of Dr Ron's in that thread....
"The ectoparasites are generally very specific to their particular hosts. So, those that were feasting on your clam won't be vampyrish to any other hosts."

Naturally, I'm REALLY hoping this means the ones munching on my Astreas wont go for my clams. I jsut re checked the clams and cant see any snails. I saw several pods that were smaller than most of the snails I scrubbed off, but no suspicious snails on my clams.

Dr Ron also posted about rissoid snails being mistaken for pyramid snails.....Rissoids are allegedly harmless detritovores. I dont know anything about them so I have more reading to do.

Thanks for the PM's about where to find an answer folks.

Nick
 
Highlander, Thanks for the info on your experiances w/ pyramid snails....I might have to break down and pick up a small 6 line wrasse. I've heard they were hit and miss though on snail eating.

Nick
 
Chris

This is only part I can see that would be cause for concern in the link you provided:

Host species
Crassostrea virginica, Ostrea edulis and many species of mussel, clam, cockle and scallop.

I'm definately reaching here, but all of those host species are bivalves. Maybe that species only goes after bivalves and not snails. I dunno....

I was just talking with a friend of mine who asked if the snails were on the Astrea's tissue or shell. I only found snails on the shell of my Astrea's not on the tissue at all. So maybe I do have rissoid snails instead.

Nick
 
Would pyramid snails climb the glass and eat algae? I have what appear to maybe pyrmaids, but they climb the glass. I've seen them in the shells of my astraeas also.
 
I had the same issue about three years ago and asked Dr. Ron about it. He said that the snails on the turbos and astreas were snail specific and that they would not cross over to the clams. I added a hawaiian blue tailed wrasse and a mystery wrasse and the pyrams were gone in a week. good luck with them and if you want scientific names on the wrasses let me know and I will look them up.
 
I'd love a mystery wrasse, but I have a pair of blood shrimp. Wont the mystery go after the blood shrimp?

Nick
 
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