Will pyamidellid snails die without a host?

[dixiedog]

If so how long would it take?


... But I'm guessing there could be no such luck.

 

[whatcaneyedo]

can pyramidellid snails survive without a clam host?
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1407968&highlight=pyramidellid

 

[mscarpena]

Yes without a clam host. Most eat snails and other mollusks. A lot come in on snails.

 

[Coraldomination]

Yes, check you snails and other mollusks for the pyramillids.

 

[dixiedog]

Actually, I mean ANY host, clam or snail.

Are they an obligate parasite, or will they survive indefinitely even if I remove clam and snails for the (supposed) 120 day life cycle of the pyramidellids?

 

[salty joe]

So they only lay their eggs on their victim, is that right?

 

[dixiedog]

I know that they do lay eggs on the host, but I can't verify that is the ONLY place. My guess would be that they would lay eggs anywhere if they became separated form the host and had no choice.

Purely speculation though.

 

[mscarpena]

Well of course they would die without food for 120 days. I am not 100% sure as no one is what they eat. To survive they may eat each other, detritus, algae or many other things. I have no basis to believe that they are anything other than parasitic, but they could.

 

[dixiedog]

Umm ... run that by me one more time??

LOL