Do you know what this is? VERY LARGE SNAIL (SEE PICTURE)

[superior]

I have a very large snail in my tank. This snail is about as big as your fist. I'm not sure what it is, but when I put 2 new flame scallops in my tank, it immediatley tried to eat them and held on super tight to the opening of the scallop.

Can you identify what type of snail this is? How old is it? it is reef safe?

(I have in in a seperate container temporarily until i figure out if its reef safe, and how to handle it with the scallops)

http://images2b.snapfish.com/232323232fp53637>nu=32<;>;53>74;>WSNRCG=3239797;8;753nu0mrj

 

[dustin_P74]

i dont know what type of snail that is but it might have done you a favor by taking out those flame scallops, because flame scallops have a dismal success rate in captivity

 

[cthegame]

I have a very large snail in my tank. This snail is about as big as your fist. I'm not sure what it is, but when I put 2 new flame scallops in my tank, it immediatley tried to eat them and held on super tight to the opening of the scallop.

Can you identify what type of snail this is? How old is it? it is reef safe?

(I have in in a seperate container temporarily until i figure out if its reef safe, and how to handle it with the scallops)

http://images2b.snapfish.com/232323232fp53637>nu=32<;>;53>74;>WSNRCG=3239797;8;753nu0mrj

How did you get it? I doubt something that large was a hitchhiker...

 

[superior]

How did you get it? I doubt something that large was a hitchhiker...

I got this tank from my friend of mine. The tank is about 7-8 years old and it was in there when I got it. I have had 1 fish die in it since I got the tank. My poor yellow tang died, the weird thing is that when I noticed the tang was dead I went in to go and fetch it out, and attached to it was this snail.

Is this some type of carnivore snail or what? Should I get rid of it? I want to keep my scallops, I am going to put them in a seperate container with live plankton once a week so they will be fed well (seperatley from the tank so it doesnt cloud the water)

 

[dustin_P74]

snails are part of the clean up crew and when a fish dies there job is to eat it, so you seeing that isnt anything to be scared of because he was just doing his job

 

[superior]

snails are part of the clean up crew and when a fish dies there job is to eat it, so you seeing that isnt anything to be scared of because he was just doing his job

Sounds normal then...here is another picture the side of the trap door on this snail is about the size of a 50 cent coin.

2nd PICTURE: http://images2.snapfish.com/232323232fp53632>nu=32<;>;53>74;>WSNRCG=3239798249424nu0mrjhttp://images2.snapfish.com/232323232fp53632>nu=32<;>;53>74;>WSNRCG=3239798249424nu0mrj

 

[dustin_P74]

i would say turbo but i have never seen one with that kind of shell

 

[superior]

i would say turbo but i have never seen one with that kind of shell

Thanks for the input. Yes, the shell is very interesting, it has lots of curled up pieces that kind of spike out. This is a very strong snail...it has tons of suction!!!

 

[cthegame]

That's actually pretty awesome. I could imagine how much cleaning this one guy is able to do...I say keep it. he looks pretty impressive.

 

[ccCapt]

I would guess murex spp, which is a predator snail.

 

[superior]

I would guess murex spp, which is a predator snail.

I think you are right. It does look like a murex spp, since it is a predator snail what do you think I should do with it?

Any ideas of how this got into the tank? will it eat corals?

 

[ccCapt]

If it it a murex, I would not leave it in the tank.
I don't think they are coral eaters, but they will eat snails, shrimps or clams. Where did you get your live rock from? It could have been a hitchhicker on the rock.

 

[yote]

That would make an awesome addition to a predator tank.

 

[d.french]

i know there are predatory type snails called whelk that will eat clams, i'm thinking i accidentally got one some how cause i lost 2 clams.

 

[Bifferwine]

Not all snails are good snails. The majority of the snails found should not be kept in reef tanks.

Murex snails will also eat corals. I'd take it out and find it a new home, if I were you.

 

[superior]

Not all snails are good snails. The majority of the snails found should not be kept in reef tanks.

Murex snails will also eat corals. I'd take it out and find it a new home, if I were you.

My local fish store might be interested in giving me store credit? Any idea on how much this snail is worth? $$ (They give me 40% of value as store credit) just a thought!

 

[Stupidsreef]

I would agree with ccCapt, at first glance I thought Hornd helmit, but the way the stems branch out at the tips I would say Murex spp. which is a predator snail. I would remove it myself.

 

[RyanG]

Do you have as sump? You could throw it there until you figure out exactly what it is.

 

[daugherty]

i think i would throw it across the yard myself

 

[dustin_P74]

id try and get store credit for it