Cowrie-are they reef safe?

[Tabasco1]

Been curious about them, they are very cool. I got to see one in person this weekend and confirm that yes they are very cool. Does anybody have First hand experience with them? Are they reef safe? They are fairly big, do they tend to knock stuff over too?

Specifically this weekend I believe I saw the Tiger Cowrie.

 

[thewackyreefer]

I had a tiger cowrie for quite some time and he didn't disturb my reef at all. Very cool addition in my opinion!

 

[Viva'sReef]

While they look really cool, they are strong little guys and I have seen them topple the rockwork because they are just soo strong. That's the only downside I believe though.

 

[Captain Nemo]

+1 on thew toppling rock work!!! We had one in our tank at work and he did a number on the aquascape. He was cool looking though, Love their shells......

 

[Tabasco1]

I love how the mantle covers the shell. Might give it a whirl. On the fence about bonding the rock work together which might help that issue.

Thanks!

 

[spscrazy]

I have 2 & haven't had any problems with them knocking things over the same cannot be said tho about my white leg hermit crab that bad boy loves to knock things over

 

[Tabasco1]

White leg hermit crab? Is that a much larger hermit than the typical blue or red legs hermits? I can't imagine them knocking a whole lot over. :)

 

[cparka23]

I had a tiger cowrie eat my green goniopora, so I wouldn't blanket them as reef safe by any means. They are very cool to watch, though.

edit: forgot to mention, it went right after the goni within a few minutes of it being introduced to the tank.

 

[spscrazy]

the white leg hermit crab hosts a turbo grazer shell he looks like godzilla next to the red hermits!

 

[Tabasco1]

cparka-OUCH! Did you take it right out?? Did it leave it alone or finish it off?

spscrazy-so safe to say that they will dine on snails? :) I might skip these guys!

 

[Reef lvr]

I have had many over the years with no problems, then i had one that had a taste for acan's!! I guess it was a rouge cowrie..lol.. Good luck

 

[Tabasco1]

Does it maybe have to do with the type of cowrie? And I also feel like I am remembering right now that they could be poisonous to people? Or am I making that up.

 

[Reef Breeders Verified Sponsor]

I cought mine attacking my carpet nem, e is now in a FOWLR tank.

 

[spscrazy]

nope he doesn't harm anything in the tank just knocks things over with that big ole shell! fantastic algae eater tho almost 2 years old now

 

[reefermom750]

Mine likes softies, took out a kenya tree and some zoas. Now he’s in a tank with only xenia.

 

[James Mikell]

Money cowrie are reef safe. Not sure about the tiger cowrie. Cool guys to watch.

 

[ThunderGoose]

I've got a gold ring cowrie, I don't see her often and I haven't had any problems. I like the oddballs. When I do spot them it's a little thrill.

 

[daddykoolz]

Been curious about them, they are very cool. I got to see one in person this weekend and confirm that yes they are very cool. Does anybody have First hand experience with them? Are they reef safe? They are fairly big, do they tend to knock stuff over too?

Specifically this weekend I believe I saw the Tiger Cowrie.

My cowrie been in my tank for past 1 year, they look nice moving around eating al, the algae, great cleanup crew, but recently, I was wondering why my zoas & gap been missing bit bit, then one night I found the culprit.... my cowrie start eating all my GSP, clove, zoas.. 40% of my corals gone eaten by this big buy... my conclusion, this cowrie is not reef safe..