Snails

[underpar]

Hi,

I live on the mid-Atlantic coast (VA) and find many snails at low tide. They all have a black shell, an elongated foot, and are about .25-.5 inch long. I think they are a type of nerite snail.

No digital camera-no pictures.

Might there be a risk of adding several of these to my system?

Thanks, Fred

 

[username in use]

I think what you are refering to are mud snails. They will spend their time on the sand bed, not really venturing onto the rock. Hard to say for sure without a pic though. Also, they may or may not last very long at elevated reef temps, but if you maintain your tank in the mid 70's you could be ok.

 

[phil519]

best case scenario - they help round out your CUC

worst case scenario - they are not snails, but whelks/carnivores that seek out your CUC and eat them.

i agree with the prior poster though -if you find them locally (aside for tropical fish that is) - it's unlikely the inverts will live long in reef tank temps.

 

[underpar]

Thanks for your replies.

After further research, I have identified these critters as 'Ilyanassa obsoleta'. And then found this after a search: http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-11/mg/index.php

So...these will not become part of my system.

Thanks again for your input!

Fred