Predatory snails?

[juanmanuelsanchez]

So today I found my ruby dragonet with a hole in the side of the tail. Sadly I don't think it's going to make it since it's not eating and was really easy to catch. I transfer it to a QT with furan 2 to try to kill any infection.

Anyway. My suspect is a predatory snail.

This are collected from a local beach and never paid much attention to them.

I'm attaching some pics so you can help me out. They don't have a mouth like the turbos...

Thanks in advance.

 

[nautical_nathaniel]

I would take them out if you suspect them of being predatory. I'm personally not sure what they are, where did they come from (geographically)

 

[juanmanuelsanchez]

They are from Costa Rica (where I live), pacific ocean. What else could it be if they are not the snails?

 

[nautical_nathaniel]

They are from Costa Rica (where I live), pacific ocean. What else could it be if they are not the snails?

They're snails, but the genus and species can be important in determining what type of snails they are and knowing the geographical location of them helps a lot with the ID.

 

[EmdeReef]

In general, avoid adding anything to your tank you aren’t 100% sure about.
Do you have a pic of the dragonet? Could be something else - bacterial, parasite etc.

 

[juanmanuelsanchez]

I will try to take a pic of it.

It's perfect round hole in the side. You can see some discoloration where it is. And part of the tail. Heavenly breathing and not moving. I don't think it will make it.

 

[Shabalaba]

what else do you have in the tank?

 

[John3]

Hard to imagine a snail catching a fish.

 

[juanmanuelsanchez]

Hard to imagine a snail catching a fish.

A small fish (like the red ruby) while sleeping. Sure is a easy catch.

 

[juanmanuelsanchez]

The beautiful fish died yesterday. Here are some pics of the injury.

 

[juanmanuelsanchez]

Anyone?

 

[Jose Mayo]

Yes, it looks like the hole made by a predatory snail. Put a large peeled piece of shrimp in the tank. If they are the snails, they will make in the shrimp meat the same hole that was made in the fish, and you will know for sure.

Regards

 

[juanmanuelsanchez]

I will have to make a trap somehow.

 

[EmdeReef]

That also could be ulceration potentially resulting from septicemia and is common especially in gobies where a red or white hole appears, usually suddenly following slight discoloration, on the tail or below the belly.

 

[juanmanuelsanchez]

Well today I found my lemon peel tang with a mark on the side.

So I don't know what could be causing this.

I took the snails out.

Could it be a pistol or mantis shrimp?

 

[EmdeReef]

Do you have either of those shrimps? Can you post a pic of the tang?

 

[juanmanuelsanchez]

No I don't. Maybe a hitchhiker? I will post a pic as soon as I get a chance.

 

[juanmanuelsanchez]

Here's some pics. It'd the circular mark in the lower part of the body.

 

[EmdeReef]

It’s hard to see but based on the pics of your dragonet My guess would be something bacterial or at minimum a secondary bacterial infection. You should isolate and treat before it spreads too much.

 

[juanmanuelsanchez]

Catching a tang is a nightmare. Is there any reef safe option I can use?