Stomella Snails breeding

[Pricey89]

Hi guys,

A few days ago I noticed around 5 or 6 stomella snails in my sump (I didn’t put them in there but know I have a few in my tank, maybe one or 2 came in hidden in chaeto).

This morning I was amazed to find literally a hundred tiny babies on my sump glass. I thought I’d post because I could find hardly any articles on the babies (or any photos).

They are currently around the size of small copepods.

I’ll probably let them munch on detritus in the fuge for a while and then throw a few into the DT as extra clean up crew.

Anyone have any experience of the population of these getting out of control in a fuge?

Thanks
Matt

 

[Viking_Reefing]

Are you sure that those are stomella snails and not flatworms?
Sounds strange that the population would explode like that.

 

[flampton]

Look like flatworms to me as well

 

[Boonz28]

They look like flatworms to me also from the photos but I wouldn’t be surprised if they are stomatellas. They multiply like crazy and are my personal favorite snail due to their ability to squeeze into spots that other snails can’t. The only problem I can imagine with having so many of them in your sump would be if they get into rotating equipment and stop it from turning (return pumps, skimmer impeller, etc).

 

[Pricey89]

Ohhh... I assumed stomellas because I’d spotted a number in the sump that I hadn’t put there...

How small are stomellas born and how quickly do they grow? I guess that’s what I’ll have to wait and see.

If they’re flat worms what should I do/look out for?

 

[vetteguy53081]

Those are acoel flatworms and though not the killer type grow in large numbers. Siphon as many as you can daily until gone as in numbers , they can smother and irritate coral.
Consider a 6 line wrasse in the sump also

 

[Pricey89]

Those are acoel flatworms and though not the killer type grow in large numbers. Siphon as many as you can daily until gone as in numbers , they can smother and irritate coral.
Consider a 6 line wrasse in the sump also

Thank you. I will keep an eye on them, can’t see any in the DT at the moment, hopefully they’ll remain in the sump.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Thank you. I will keep an eye on them, can’t see any in the DT at the moment, hopefully they’ll remain in the sump.

Siphon out of sump as they can eventually make it to the display via water lines