Triton Snail care?

[dmarq]

Anyone have any experience with keeping a triton in their tank?

I picked one about 3 inches up during one of my dives and didn't realize it was still alive until I got home. It'd be a shame to kill it so I'd like to add it to my tank.
I know in the wild they eat crown of thorns and sea urchins but is there anyway I could supplement that?
Also, do they prefer the rocks or the sand?

I'm worried I'll starve him to death if I don't figure out what to do with him so any insight on these creatures would be greatly appreciated!

 

[gnasher]

Oh boy. I don't have access to it at the moment, but I believe I read in Ron Shimek's pocket guide to invertebrates that it's not a good idea to keep these guys in tanks. The reason, if I remember correctly, is that they release a lot of substances while feeding, which can be toxic at the concentrations you'd have in the small volume of a reef tank. According to Ron, you would need to do large water changes after every meal. Maybe it wouldn't be such a problem if he's small, but toxins aside, he can grow to 2 feet long, which will probably be too big for any tank you want to keep him in.

If you've already put him in your tank, I can't encourage you to put him back in the ocean. Depending on where you live, you could see if a local aquarium wants him? I dunno what else to say. If you're going to try to keep him, you could see if he's interested in shrimp meat. Just keep an eye on your water/livestock while feeding, and good luck!

 

[Noah 123]

I don't think you should keep it. They get big, are very demanding, and are just overall hard to care for. Plus, it's one of the crown of thorn's few predators so should be left in the ocean to take care of the nasty buggers as they are taking over reefs.

 

[pagojoe]

Yeah, they will eat other stuff besides Crown of Thorns. I usually found them eating Pincushion Stars. University of Guam published some good info on Crown of Thorns. Tritons do eat them, but can't control populations. Crown of Thorns populations explode, then collapse. It's still kind of mysterious. But a population of Charonia dense enough to control them would deplete the food supply and starve in short order. Tritons are usually fairly widely separated in a normal reef ecosystem. One taken out of most locations wouldn't have much impact.

 

[dmarq]

After a little digging, I've FINALLY identified it as Nicobar's triton, but can't seem to find much info about the species other than that they don't get much bigger than 3 inches. Guess mine isn't growing anymore. After a week in my tank it's still alive but not very active and all my fish and invertebrates are still accounted for. I'll grab some urchins tomorrow and feed it in a separate tank, in case any substances it'll release may be harmful to my tank. Thanks for all the help guys! It's crazy how there's not much info on the species...

 

[pagojoe]

Nicobar triton is probably the most common and widespread of the Cymatium species. They will eat other snails, rather than starfish like the Charonia species. They are favorite prey for molluscivorous cone snails...but are also capable of drilling through the body and killing their would-be assassins. If you have a variety of snails in the tank, it will probably find something to eat.

Cheers,



Don

 

[dmarq]

Nicobar triton is probably the most common and widespread of the Cymatium species. They will eat other snails, rather than starfish like the Charonia species. They are favorite prey for molluscivorous cone snails...but are also capable of drilling through the body and killing their would-be assassins. If you have a variety of snails in the tank, it will probably find something to eat.

Cheers,



Don

Thanks Don! The only snails I find in the wild are cone snails (lethal and non-lethal variety). Would that work? Aside from that I have two turbo snails in my tank but I'd rather not have him munch on those- they cost me money! :spin1:

 

[Noah 123]

Thanks Don! The only snails I find in the wild are cone snails (lethal and non-lethal variety). Would that work? Aside from that I have two turbo snails in my tank but I'd rather not have him munch on those- they cost me money! :spin1:

I think those cone snails would be fine, but if it were me, I'd go for the non lethal ones :lmao:

 

[pagojoe]

They eat cone snails. And cone snails eat them. According to Chris Takahashi, whichever one is already established in a tank is more likely to be the "predator." It is one of the few animals that can kill a Conus textile (without crushing it). It is also a favorite food of several of the Tent Cones.

Cheers,


Don

 

[gnasher]

If it's not too much trouble, I'd love to see a picture of your guy.