Saltwater Snails Guide- The Why, The How and The How Many!

[Reefs2go]

Saltwater Snails - there are a variety of snails and a variety of things they like to eat.

And snails eat more than just algae!!

We will focus this conversation to the common saltwater aquarium snails and what they eat.

There are 2 main eaters - Algae Eaters and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Detritus Eaters.

The most common Algae eaters are Turbos, Astreas, Mexican Turbos, Ceriths and Nerites. These snails hail from Caribbean waters and are great for the warmer temperatures of the normal saltwater aquarium. Other warm water algae eaters are Extra Large Cerith Snails, Stocky Cerith Snails & Tapestry Snails.

Algae Eating Snails are recommended at ~30% of the tank volume. So if your tank is 100 gallons - you would want to add 30 algae eating snails - that is a combination of all types - since it is advisable to have a variety of algae eaters in your tank.

Detritus Eating Snails are a real blessing - they eat the YUCK that causes nitrates which feed the algae. So if you want less algae you MUST reduce the nitrates first. Nassarius Vibex are the Queen Gems - they can be kept at 1-2 snails per gallon. They eat left over food, dead stuff, waste from other animals - lots of yucky stuff- NATURALLY!

Right now at Reefs2go.com - our snails are all on sale - so get 'em cleaning for you.

[larryandlaura]

Nice write up!

[Fish Dad]

I'm just starting my tank up waiting on Cycle.

When do you want to start adding snails.... I realize that I must have some algae and or waste for them to eat.

Also I hear that snails and crabs don't really get along as the crabs will eat the snails if they cannot right them selves.

Thanks for the write up

[Sir Patrick]

Is a substrate necessary for Nassarius Vibex? I know they like to burrow, but can/will they do ok in a bare botton tank?