Collonista snail

[PTXReef]

Are collonista snails harmful to maxima clams??? Some hitch hiked on a piece of coral last week and the population has exploded.. covering rocks at night.

 

[Ron Reefman]

I think these are herbivores and as such shouldn't damage a clam, but may clean algae on the shell. A quote from a study said:

Remember that these snails are performing a valuable role no different to turbos. they are cleaning the surface of your LR, ridding it of algal growth that can smother the rock, blocking its porosity (reducing diffusion and nutrient cycling) in the process.

That said, they do breed better than rabbits and many reefers see them as a problem.

 

[stanleo]

I find that their population ebbs and flows. one month they are everywhere and the next I can hardly notice them. They should not be an issue with clams. They don't seem to bother anything in my tank.

 

[Ron Reefman]

I find that their population ebbs and flows. one month they are everywhere and the next I can hardly notice them. They should be an issue with clams. They don't seem to bother anything in my tank.

I assume you meant to say they should not be an issue with the clam. Right?

 

[stanleo]

I assume you meant to say they should not be an issue with the clam. Right?

thanks for catching that. I fixed it.

 

[vetteguy53081]

They are classified reef safe and although they have a large mouth for a small snail, not documented as to attacking any clams

 

[PTXReef]

Thanks for the responses reef squad! Just wanted to make sure before I start the mass manual removal at night o_O :p