Nassarius reproduction

[TWYOUNG]

I've recently noticed a few snails which appear to be Nassarius in my tank that are about 1/3 the size of any I've added. Is it possible they've reproduced and remained hidden in the substrate until reaching this size?

 

[Lasse]

May be that way

Sincerely Lasse

 

[TWYOUNG]

May be that way

Sincerely Lasse

It seems so unlikely eggs would avoid predation and mechanical filtration especially if laid on the glass.

 

[Euphylliaphyle]

It seems so unlikely eggs would avoid predation and mechanical filtration especially if laid on the glass.

I don't think they lay eggs on glass in the wild. Maybe they were laid in a rock crevice in your tank.

 

[Lasse]

It seems so unlikely eggs would avoid predation and mechanical filtration especially if laid on the glass.

1/3 of size of the others. A size you not have introduce. What do you think happens? Parthenogenesis (virgin birth)? or "bean me down, Scotty"

Sincerely Lasse

 

[Doctor Derp]

1/3 of size of the others. A size you not have introduce. What do you think happens? Parthenogenesis (virgin birth)? or "bean me down, Scotty"

Sincerely Lasse

far more likely to have come in as hitchhikers.

 

[Lasse]

far more likely to have come in as hitchhikers.

We do not know how old the tank is and if use dry or live rocks. Hitchhiker is one possibility - but we do not know. I have had reproduction of turbo snails in my aquarium.

Sincerely Lasse

 

[IntrinsicReef]

There is a small Nassarius that reproduces in reef tanks. I had a client who had hundreds of them in a small tank. I have since spread them around to other tanks and they have reproduced in all of them. They are a great sand cleaner

 

[IntrinsicReef]

There might be several species that reproduce in captivity. As mine are pure white and look quite a bit smaller than your photo

 

[Euphylliaphyle]

I just did a fast search. This may be of interest:

Nassarius Snail – Detailed Guide: Care, Diet, and Breeding - Shrimp and Snail Breeder

Nassarius snails are super easy to keep and feed. In addition, they are very resilient and can tolerate a wide range of water parameters.

aquariumbreeder.com

"The life cycle of the Nassarius snails is characterized by the presence of planktonic veligers (larvae) that emerge from benthic capsules.

The planktonic larvae require 1–2 months to complete metamorphosis and settlement. That is a relatively long planktonic phase compared to other gastropods.

The Nassarius snails usually attach their egg capsules to hard substrates (the glass of an aquarium, rocks, decorations, etc). Each egg capsule can contain from thirty to – several hundred embryos, which developed until the veliger stage is reached.

Hatching takes place after about 9 – 15 days of encapsulated development. The complete larval development and metamorphosis throughout 25 – 35 days."

 

[kevgib67]

I had hundreds of baby tonga nassarius snails in my previous tank, transferred a lot to my current tank.

 

[IntrinsicReef]

I just did a fast search. This may be of interest:

Nassarius Snail – Detailed Guide: Care, Diet, and Breeding - Shrimp and Snail Breeder

Nassarius snails are super easy to keep and feed. In addition, they are very resilient and can tolerate a wide range of water parameters.

aquariumbreeder.com

"The life cycle of the Nassarius snails is characterized by the presence of planktonic veligers (larvae) that emerge from benthic capsules.

The planktonic larvae require 1–2 months to complete metamorphosis and settlement. That is a relatively long planktonic phase compared to other gastropods.

The Nassarius snails usually attach their egg capsules to hard substrates (the glass of an aquarium, rocks, decorations, etc). Each egg capsule can contain from thirty to – several hundred embryos, which developed until the veliger stage is reached.

Hatching takes place after about 9 – 15 days of encapsulated development. The complete larval development and metamorphosis throughout 25 – 35 days."

That's curious because 1-2 months as plankton seems too long to survive filtration in a reef tank.

 

[Euphylliaphyle]

That's curious because 1-2 months as plankton seems too long to survive filtration in a reef tank.

Seems unlikely, but if we are speaking of just a few survivors as we seem to be here, it is conceivable. Even with good flow and high tank water turnover by filtration, I don't see how every molecule of water nor every planktonic critter riding within the water passes through the filter, even over a long time. I could be wrong, but as an example, eddy currents caused by pockets in rocks could themselves account for a bit of water that churns for a long time without getting filtered.
All that said, I agree that tiny, metamorphized snail hitchikers could be more likely, depending on tank additions and timing, QT and/or dip protocols, etc.
Bottom line? Who knows? We're only talking possibilities here, per the OP.

 

[Lasse]

Here is a Nassarius species with direct development. Not all have a planktonic larval stage.



Sincerely Lasse

 

[kevgib67]

Ha, caught a baby Tonga nassarius snail on video. Like the adults they come out of the sand at feeding and are tiny but look exactly like the adults.

 

[IntrinsicReef]

Here is a Nassarius species with direct development. Not all have a planktonic larval stage.



Sincerely Lasse

Yes, the snails with direct development would be the only way to reproduce in a reef tank in my opinion.

 

[IntrinsicReef]

Or not the only way, but a way. Cardinalfish mouthbrood, and Pocillopora has internal brooding and a direct settling planktonic stage.

 

[sim]

In my tank, we'll see if they survive

 

[sim]

Eggs