What invert for substrate

[Islander722]

Good morning everyone!

Tank has been running for over 2 months now. 15gal AIO with 2 small clowns, yellow watchman goby, pistol shrimp and one Trochus snail.
Also recently added a small GSP frag on the back glass that is doing well.

Now I’m looking at a snail for the substrate. I have larger sized black Hawaiian sand and am wondering if anyone can recommend a snail to help clean things up.

Thank you!

 

[Red_Beard]

For that size tank, nassarius snails would be my go to invert. A couple of the tongan variety and half dozen vibex.

 

[Jasonak]

Agree with the dude above.

 

[steveschuerger]

Seconded on nassarius. And recommend astrea snails for rocks and other surfaces

 

[Marco_99]

For longevity and coolness, and in my eyes a better worker, a fighting conch

 

[Jasonak]

For longevity and coolness, and in my eyes a better worker, a fighting conch

Im a fan of those also I just didnt think 15 gallons would be enough for one. But im not a snail expert lol

 

[exnisstech]

Another vote for nasarius and they're cool to watch rise out of the sand when they smell food. Conchs are awesome too but I think they starve if there isn't enough for them to eat in the sand.

 

[Sophie"s mom]

For longevity and coolness, and in my eyes a better worker, a fighting conch

I do love a fighting conch, but they need plenty of room all the way around the perimeter for sure. They get to be pretty good size.

 

[BriDroid]

You will end up having to feed the conch. The nasarius snails are a good call though. I have a bunch of the smaller ones in my nano. I'm pretty sure they are breeding too since I have way more than I ever added, plus I see tiny ones here and there.

 

[Marco_99]

Another vote for nasarius and they're cool to watch rise out of the sand when they smell food. Conchs are awesome too but I think they starve if there isn't enough for them to eat in the sand.

It was crazy when I had a “small” algae outbreak on my rocks my conchs would actually crawl up in my rock work. I’ve had them crawl a few inches up the back glass to graze on the fresh green film.

 

[exnisstech]

It was crazy when I had a “small” algae outbreak on my rocks my conchs would actually crawl up in my rock work. I’ve had them crawl a few inches up the back glass to graze on the fresh green film.

Ive heard that before. My fighting conchs would never leave the sand bed. But I've only had them one time.

 

[BriDroid]

Ive heard that before. My fighting conchs would never leave the sand bed. But I've only had them one time.

Mine would reach his snout/mouth up to the rocks when food was scarce in the sand or along the glass. He did such a good job that I ended up rehoming him to someone with an algae outbreak.

 

[Euphylliaphyle]

Allysa's Seahorse Savvy sells a Strawberry Conch that may behave similarly to a Fighting Conch in a much smaller package. I have never had one, but I am thinking about trying one out next time I place an order with them.

Strawberry Conch (Small Size Species)-Great Sand Sifters

This is for a single Strawberry Conch, Conomurex luhuanus. Approximate Size: 1-2+ inches. Sizes, shapes, colors and patterns vary. Reach ~1-2+ inches maximum size. Size requests welcomed. Recommended Stocking: 1-2+ of these conchs per 10 gallons is recommended for stocking density. We recommend...

seahorsesavvy.com

 

[Kasrift]

Fighting conch is way too big for 15g. Strawberry conch would be fine, as recommended already. It also depends on your rock structure though. If your 15g has all rock, conch wouldn't be recommended at all. I'd say some nassarrius and cerith snails should do the trick.

 

[StartingATank]

Nassarius snails or maybe a conch if you don’t really mind your rocks being moved around sometimes

 

[Marco_99]

Fighting conch is way too big for 15g. Strawberry conch would be fine, as recommended already. It also depends on your rock structure though. If your 15g has all rock, conch wouldn't be recommended at all. I'd say some nassarrius and cerith snails should do the trick.

Correct. I should have stated a different variant as I just muttered the fighting conch name out there. The strawberry variant is actually the variant I have a few of in my system

 

[vetteguy53081]

Nassarius snails, strawberry conchs, astrea snails and a few Caribbean blue leg hermits