snails eating starfish

[Reef n' Madness]

I caught 3 of these guys munching on my sand sifting star! Anyone know what these are?

 

[P.Kelly]

By munching you mean actually doing damage?

 

[Reef n' Madness]

Yes, actual chunks missing. Unless he was already damaged and that attracted them. I have had this star for a couple months with no problems. no new fish, no history of any of the fish pecking at things. I know it could be other things but the star was not happy about them munching on him so I thought I would take a picture and get some advice.

 

[MandM]

Looks like a whelk, there are some predatory types that will go after corals. You can search for whelk or snail ID and probably find your little bugger.

 

[CaptiveReefSystems]

sure doesn't look big enough to do much damage to anything, but you never know. He might be doing you a favor by taking out your sand sifter.

 

[rafael13]

rice snail, they have been eatting my other snails

 

[edsimmons]

Have you seen that type of snail on your clams?

Or on the underside of your algae eating snails?

I'm with Rafael might be rice snails.

 

[edsimmons]

Check this out.

http://www.reefland.com/rho/2006/05/identify_rissoid_pyramidellid_snails.php

I hope it's not Rice Snails!

 

[Reef n' Madness]

That is what I was thinking they were too but I had never seen them before. I will have to check my clam and other snails when I get home. So the only way to get rid of these guys is to pick them out? That sucks

 

[Fragmented]

You can post a request for identification to Dr. Ron here:
http://forum.marinedepot.com/Forum11-1.aspx

Good luck!