Vermitid Snails

[gem]

I have Vermitid snails on one of the rocks in my tank. They were in my 2.5 gal pico and never really caused a problem. the only time they threw any webbing was when I did a water change or disturbed the tank in any way. But it never really seemed to bother anything in the tank. Now that they are in my 46 gal they seem to constantly throw webbing (probably due to the flow in that area of the tank) and they annoy the crap out of my GSP and any other coral nearby. I moved the GSP because they stopped opening due to being covered by webbing. After 12 hours, the GSP seems to be coming out now. Is there a way to remove them? Just break them off the rock?

 

[MrMikeB]

I have always thought the Vermetids to be rather benign, although messy, creatures. Even the mucus webbing did not seem to bother anything. But if you are sure they are the culprits to the GSP issue, and want to remove them, they are anchored at the base through a calcium cement that they use to attach to the substrate or rock. Simply break the cement sliding a flat tool (like a thin blade screwdriver) and they become portable.

Good luck!

 

[MandM]

Tweezers work well too. you have to break them off right at the rock surface to get them completely. Watch your knuckles around them, they are really sharp and poke right through regular latex or nitrile gloves. Those pokes get infected easily.

 

[Justin74]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12112551#post12112551 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MandM
Those pokes get infected easily.

You can say that again! And itch like a big dog!

-Justin

 

[Unarce]

If there's one that I didn't like the placement of (like on a clam), I'd just shove some epoxy in it. They don't seem to be able to burrow out of it.

 

[gem]

I'm positive it was what was bothering the GSP. I moved the GSP to another spot and it's now starting to come out again. I used a pair of hemostats and snapped them off at the base. Hopefully I'm done with them.
Like I said....they never were an issue when they were in the pico....but I think due to the amount of flow blowing by them in the 46 gal.....they were constantly webbing. Annoying little creeps!!!

Thanks guys! (gals too) = )