pyramid snials...what do they do?

[Haggisman14]

been searching for info, but couldn't find much. Just curious what exactly pyramid snails do to our clams. I just got a clam from a buddy that was pretty infested w/the little buggers...but I think i've cleaned them totally off the ENTIRE clam. Just curious what they do to clams. My buddy had the clam for about 6 months and never knew of the snails...so lets assume they have been there for the past 6 months. Will color inprove now that they're gone..or do they just affect how much the clam opens? Thanx.

Marc

 

[Frisco]

They are parasitic and survive off of fluids taken from the clam - typically the clam will eventually get weak and die. You should plan on checking them and cleaning them off of the clam 1-2 times per week. Some people also seem to have success with some types of wrasse.

 

[JR719]

I think it is a six line wrasse that helps with the snails. Keep an eye on the clam and as soon as you see another snail, pull it off. Good luck

 

[Haggisman14]

with the snails living off the clams....does it lower the quaity of the colors...slow down the growth?

 

[Peabody]

It can, but they start shriveling up too. Don't assume one cleaning will take care of them. Check at least nightly for a week (several hours after lights out) then I reccomend once a week for a few more months until you haven't seen any for a long time. YOu'd be surprised how many can live in our systems!

 

[Haggisman14]

well i just got the clam...so i know they're not in the tank elsewhere...since i have NEVER had a clam b4...but I will keep an eye out for the next few weeks. thanx everyone.

Marc

 

[mathman]

I just found out that I have these on my 2 clams and I thought of getting a 6-line wrasse but I had none on the actual clam they were all crowded in the foot (underside). How would a 6-line wrasse get at them?