Clowns attacking snails

[Dweezilz]

Has anyone had issue with their Clownfish trying to eat snails? I've had a pair (Gladiator & a Black/White) for 5 months and they haven't bothered anything in the tank even if tankmates swim over to their corner they are hosting. In mid January I got 5 Nassarius and 5 Nerite snails along with 2 Engineer Gobies, Conch, and a Royal Gramma (I also have a Watchman Goby). Since then, I've caught the Clowns pecking at the snails when they are on the back wall over near where the Clowns live. In the past week, twice I've found them both successfully knocking the snail off the wall and then trying to eat it as it's flipped over exposed (but retracted inside) on the sand. I've managed to rescue the snails moving them away from the corner and the Clowns don't bother them away from their home. Each time the snails have recovered after a day and moved away.

The Clowns are well fed and always eat a ton. Is it normal for them to try to kill snails?? They still don't bother even the tiny Royal Gramma who swims over to their corner once in a while. They don't even try to bite me if I stick my hand in near them. I'm gonna be irritated if they manage to kill the snails! :grinning-face-with-sweat:

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

if any smails go close to my clowns nest, the clowns will remove them pretty quickly

My clowns even remove the asterina's near their nest

 

[Dweezilz]

if any smails go close to my clowns nest, the clowns will remove them pretty quickly

I wish they were smart enough to learn not to go over there!! I guess I'll have to keep replacing as they kill them! :face-with-raised-eyebrow:

 

[kevgib67]

Ya, I had one of mine attacking a turbo snail last night when it wondered into their corner. The snail is about 3xs the clown and was unfazed by the attack.