Turbo snails reproduced?

[Simoo]

Hi everyone,

I just wondered if anyone had ever had turbo snails repoduce? I suddenly had about 12 tiny turbo snails on the right hand pane of glass!!

1 or 2 days earier I had put a new coral in so maybe they just came off that but the strange thing is that it was put on the other side of the tank and the snails have all been grouped together on the right hand pane for about a week now. I cant imagine they could travel the length of the tank.

 

[graveyardworm]

Most turbo snails larvae are pelagic, and have an extended planktonic stage at which time they are consumed by corals, fish, and skimmers. The larvae also require large amounts of fairly specific food which isnt usually found in any abundance in most home aquariums. It is likely that a new snail hitchiked in on your new coral hopefully nothing predatory.

Can you post pics of your new snails, and describe your tank/system abit?

 

[Simoo]

Thanks for the reply, I did think that was the case. Was just surprised to see so many all of a sudden grouped together in one place and so small! They have begun to separate out now and grown conciderably over the past 2 weeks here is one about double the size it was when I first saw them.

The tank is 3' with an external canister filter containing egg crate and a phosphate reactor acting as an algae filter. Other info is in my sig.

I have been experimenting with different foods recently (mainly just different invert products) but now pretty much settled on my own sea food mix alternated with mysis.

 

[graveyardworm]

The snail pictured is not a turbo snail, it is related to astraea snails, and I believe is one which may have a better chance than some for successful reproduction.

 

[pagojoe]

Hi Simoo,

Actually, Astraea snails are turbinids (in the turban family). Also, many of the turbinids don't have long pelagic periods for their larvae, so they very well might reproduce in the tank. However, the snail in your photo might not even be an Astraea/Astralium species. There are several trochids that look very much like the turbinids, with the difference being that the turbinids (Astraea/Astralium species) have an operculum made out of shelly material (looks like a little pea stuck in the aperture when the animal is withdrawn into the shell) while the trochids have opercula that are thin disks of translucent brown or yellow material. Your snail may be an Astraea or Astralium species, or it may be a Tectus or Trochus species. It looks very much like Tectus fenestratus (a trochid), but if it's that species it will have the thin, translucent operculum. If it's a turbinid, it will have the stony operculum.

Congrat's on the find!

Cheers,


Don

 

[Simoo]

Wow! thanks so much both of you, I'll keep an eye on them and take some more pics when they have grown a bit. Maybe then get a definite identification.

 

[graveyardworm]

The pitfalls of relying on common names.

 

[GMich]

Hello - I too believe I have had some snail reproduce rather than hitch a ride unless you can clarify the amount of time in the larvae stage...my last small piece of live rock and coral was more than 8 weeks ago..

I noticed one, very small on the rock @ 3 weeks ago. I now have two that are on the glass approximately 3/8" long. They have a very soft outer shell at this time and appear to have a turbo like shape to them. I can post pics if you like - thanks.

I have not had any fish for 8 weeks due to ick so they wouldn't have been eaten...

 

[graveyardworm]

Yes post some pics.

 

[GMich]

Photos of new snails

Photos of new snails

Hello - here are a couple pictures, tried to grab another one but they are hiding today...thanks.