Lots of baby snails...now what do I do ??

Michael · #1 03-13-2003, 11:43 AM

I read a post a while back about someone wondering what all those small white things could be on the glass of his aquarium.. He said they all of a sudden showed up one day. He was told they were snails. Well....I didn't quite believe it (I mean...how could that much show up "all of a sudden")...until last night !!

My aquarium glass is covered with small curled up white stuff. Showed up all of a sudden. They are also on live rock.
I think they are baby turbo snails.
Question is...how long does it take for them to grow? Will my hermit crabs and fish eat them? (didn't see any get eaten last night ).

Wow...

Michael

BCOrchidGuy · #2 03-13-2003, 03:34 PM

There are small white things that are curled up that are not snails, they are actually tiny tube worms, I have them all over my glass but I clean my front glass at least daily so I never see them there. If they are snails they will be moving, if not, they are probably the tube worms. If they are snails, grow em and sell em if you want or keep them.

Michael · #3 03-13-2003, 07:43 PM

Hmm...didn't see them moving too much. I've looked for information on tube worms, and haven't found anything so far. Are they good or bad to have in an aquarium?

Nullig · #4 03-13-2003, 08:43 PM

Do you have a pic?

They could be copepods... I see them on glass quite a lot. They seem to come in cycles, as they "hatch".

Noel

BCOrchidGuy · #5 03-13-2003, 08:58 PM

As far as I know they are good, they are filter feeders and help keep your water clean/clear.

Jack · #6 03-13-2003, 09:04 PM

I know what you're talking about. I've seen them on used Mag pumps I've bought and things. I have them on my refugium walls, my tank is quite new and I just noticed them after this post. They are really tiny white spiral filter feeders. Completely harmless im sure.

Although to an addition to this post. I actually have baby snails in my refugium. They came with some LS. I put one in the tank to see if it would grow. Not sure what kind they are but they aren't the little rice shape clam eating ones. They are round. I have no pic, but christy might. Anyone have these? Do they actually grow into big snails?

BCOrchidGuy · #7 03-13-2003, 09:15 PM

Most snails start out as larvae if I am not mistaken and are consumed in the aquarium. If any survive they should grow into.... well.. snails just like Mom and Dad. My cerith snails are always leaving little egg squiggles all over my glass, they just don't seem to grow into adults, to bad because I really like them.

Jack · #8 03-13-2003, 09:31 PM

Ok, thanks for the reply. I'll just leave the guys in the fuge. So much wierd stuff grows in a refugium

BCOrchidGuy · #9 03-13-2003, 10:01 PM

lol Just be glad you don't have a microscope you would think there was an alien invasion going on.

The more weird stuff the better in the refugium in my humble opinion.

r_wellwood · #10 03-13-2003, 10:09 PM

Jack,

If the sand you are referring to is the stuff from my LR tank, then those are definitely baby snails. I have tons of them in my 20G - some are reaching about 6-7mm in diameter (foot). They will continue to grow in your refugium...

Ryland