snail identity

Question
Bill,

late at night when i turn on the lights to my 75 gal reef, there are hundreds of what look to be tiny snails---smaller than a bb in most cases. they cling to any surface. most are tan but a bunch look candy striped.  they never seem to get bigger.  what are they and will they get bigger?

thank you much!


Answer
Hey Rick,

How old is your tank and have you bought any snails for your tank???

It is common for snails to bread and create new snails..

This leads to a 'pet peeve' of mine for when folks ask about how many snails/crabs/clean-up crew they should have... With most of hwat you might have read being ACCURATE.

They are accurate when you hear numbers of like a 20-50 danails for a larger tanks, (50+gallon)

But what they arent saying is that if your tank/system is healthy... you will have those numbers withinin a reasonable amount of time...

For those that buy new tanks, and buy a 'complete clean-up crew' package from a supplier is wasting thier money as most of those CUC will die off before your system can become sustainable for those numbers...

But, back to your questions/concerns....

I will need more information regarding the snails... shape and color.. .. that is are they ROUND or slightly football shaped?  do they color on the 'foot', does it have a visible mouth, ok, i know you said small...



I have snail eggs all the time.  different species lay thier eggs in patterns.  Try searching for images with 'SNAIL EGGS'  as the search ....

but, for every snail egg you see on the glass there are hundreds more on the rocks and back glass....

Anyways, you should log onto my new forum at www.thelittleocean.com

There is a 'cleanupcrew' GURU there that has published a couple articles regarding cleanup crews and ther breeding habits... hehehehe


Or, if you want, just post here and I will do my best....

Thanks, and I look forward to discussing this more.


bill