Is this a hitch hiker?

[Whiteydenewf]

I noticed my Astrea snail has a tube or horn like structure on its shell. Is that normal or is this a hitch hiker?

 

[Sharkbait19]

Vermetid snail - break off the tube and cover with superglue.
They release a mucus net that irritates corals.

 

[Sump Crab]

Vermitid snails can take over some tanks, mostly ones that lack natural diversity, but typically don’t cause too much trouble. For what it’s worth I actually like the ones in my tank. Just unique members of the CUC.

 

[Whiteydenewf]

on the bottom of my trumpet, I have 2 more purple shapes but smaller than the one on the Astrea snail. Same thing?

 

[Whiteydenewf]

Vermitid snails can take over some tanks, mostly ones that lack natural diversity, but typically don’t cause too much trouble. For what it’s worth I actually like the ones in my tank. Just unique members of the CUC.

Thx!

 

[Sharkbait19]

on the bottom of my trumpet, I have 2 more purple shapes but smaller than the one on the Astrea snail. Same thing?

Yep

 

[Cthulukelele]

Vermitid snails can take over some tanks, mostly ones that lack natural diversity, but typically don’t cause too much trouble. For what it’s worth I actually like the ones in my tank. Just unique members of the CUC.

+1. IME vermentid snails take over most often in tanks that are attempting to run mostly sterile and who broadcast feed for corals a ton. They can range in size wildly. The really big type especially can bother coral as their mucous nets are huge, but IME they multiply more slowly than the small ones

 

[Whiteydenewf]

+1. IME vermentid snails take over most often in tanks that are attempting to run mostly sterile and who broadcast feed for corals a ton. They can range in size wildly. The really big type especially can bother coral as their mucous nets are huge, but IME they multiply more slowly than the small ones

So do I remove or no?

 

[Cthulukelele]

So do I remove or no?

At the end of the day it's up to you and what you're trying to do. It looks like you have quite a few, and for every one you see there are likely several more. They don't need light and will often make residence in overflows and sump and everywhere else. Population control is an option, but you likely won't ever be completely rid of them.

 

[Sharkbait19]

I remove them as I see them, as from the get go I’ve had bad experiences with them. Recent ones haven’t been so bad - there are always a few coming in, but has not gotten out of hand yet.

 

[Cthulukelele]

They aren't going to nuke your tank, and there is a split in the community as to whether they are 100% nuisance. People who hate them despise them. Most people are pretty neutral I'd say. Some people like them. They will 100% agitate corals especially delicate ones like sps.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I noticed my Astrea snail has a tube or horn like structure on its shell. Is that normal or is this a hitch hiker?

Take snail out and break tube of with a pliers and discard. Agree vermetid and needs to go