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View Full Version : Snails & Mollusks zoa munching snails?


Whoyah
02-11-2006, 10:08 AM
Some of my zoas have been closed up again. A different batch then last time. I moved the rock right down in front so I could keep an eye on it. I gave it a fresh water dip but the polyps remain closed. Over the last couple nights I have found three tiny snails on the polyps. I think these might be the problem. The shell is turbine shaped, light yellow with little brown triangles that face in. All three have been a little less then 1/16" across. I have plucked them off as I see them. Any ideas what this guys are and how to get ready of them? I was planning to do a Lugol's Iodine bath tonight.
dakar
02-11-2006, 01:26 PM
Shad, did you get a pic them? They don't sound like sundial's those are the only zao munching snails that I know are harmful. Sounds more like the thousands of lil' snails we have all over the place here, albiet we loose a couple hundred a month to the powerhead intakes.
graphixx
02-11-2006, 02:01 PM
Shad, I know that there are snails about the size of a grain of rice that like to munch on clams. I wonder if they have a taste for zoo's as well. I will dig up my notes and see what I can find
Whoyah
02-11-2006, 10:29 PM
Here is a picture of the little guy. I have alot of little snails but not like these guys.
graphixx
02-11-2006, 11:10 PM
almost looks like a type of sundial. same shell shape (huh say that 5 times fast)
Whoyah
03-01-2006, 02:02 AM
I was spot lighting the tank tonight an ran across what I believe is a larger one of the mystery snails. This one is quite a bit larger, probably around a 1/4" across. It kind for reminds me of a baby turbo but I haven't had a turbo in a long time. This one got removed "just in case" he is a zoa muncher.

The zoas that were under attack seemed to have stabilized. I gave the frag a fresh water dip and then about a week later a dip in Lugol's. I lost 5 polyps but the dips have seemed to stop the problem from spreading. Several of the polyps are still closed but seem to be maintaining.
JustDavidP
03-01-2006, 01:25 PM
Those are harmless "colinista" snails. TINY TURBO's as some call them. They are common hitch hikers on live rock. I have thousands in my systems.

The Sundial snail, who eat zoas look much different. Like this:


http://www.wetwebmedia.com/MolluscPIX/Gastropods/gastro1.jpg

The Colinista's are often sold on ebay by hobbyits and are a great addition to the clean up crew.

Dave