Pyramid snails

ACBlinky

Premium Member
Tonight I looked into my tank and discovered that one of the turbos was covered in tiny 1-2mm snails. Based on other threads and pictures I've seen I believe they're pyramid snails. I cleaned them off my turbo, but I'm sure there are loads more lurking in the tank. I assume since they were riding about on the turbo that they were attempting to kill it; is there anything I can do to get rid of these little menaces, and will they go after anything other than snails?
It's a softy/LPS reef with a CUC of hermits, snails, a pincushion urchin, a big chiton, cleaner shrimp and an emerald crab. The fish population includes a Lubbock's fairy wrasse and pixy hawkfish -- would any of these be likely to eat the pyramid snails?
Thanks :)
 
ya for every one you see theres another 5 you dont. As for those fish i dont think that any of the, will eat them/ i havent heard of anything that will. I would just keep pulling them off of the snails. Im not quite sure about this one though i believe i have heard that they go after urchins "feet" as well. Tricky little B@stards they are.
 
Some folks claim that six lined wrasses will eat pyramidellids, but I think periodic inspection and removal is going to be your best bet, treating the situation as you would for clams.

They are awful, but not as bad as zoanthid eating nudibrachs, lol
 
Yeah, I've heard 6lines will nibble on them too, but I don't think a single one would put a dent on a population of pyramids.
 
Thanks for the replies, this is frustrating to say the least. I've pulled out the four largest turbos and cleaned the pyramids off their shells, I'm sure there are loads more hiding in the tank unseen. I adore my urchin, I hope they won't hurt him. It would be very difficult to see them against his spines or try to pick them off, I think he's pretty much on his own.
Will they go after anything else (corals etc.) or are they strictly interested in the snails/urchin?
 
I had them on my turbo snails also and never found them on any of my clams. I think there are different species that look almost identical and go after different things.
Everytime I would see a turbo on the water line or somewhere I could grab one, I would just take it out and clean the little buggers off. I haven't seen one in months but it did take a long time to get rid of them.
 
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