Small Snails

[Jimyfloyd]

I have had an outbreak of small snails. I mean hundreds of them. All tiny (pin head sized) and white in colour.

Any ideas - good/bad/indifferent?

Cheers,

James

 

[-Nemo-]

Depends on what type they are. Picture perhaps? Nothing comes straight to my mind.

 

[seffieuk]

Are you sure they are snails?

Seffie x

 

[Jimyfloyd]

Defiantely look like snails to me - i'll get a picture tonight if i can get one! They are small!

 

[Jimyfloyd]

Picture as promised. They're hard to photo as they are so small. That pics just a few of them!!

 

[-Nemo-]

Still difficult to tell. Do they move at all?
If not, I have a guess of what they are. I can't remember what they're called, but possibly a type of tube worm. The white would be its calcium shell. In your picture they almost look spiral, which is why I suspect them worms. If it is them, they're perfectly harmless filter feeders.

EDIT: I remembered! Look up Spirorbid Worm pictures.

 

[Jimyfloyd]

they're defo snails and they do move. I can see tentacles from the front of them!

 

[Jimyfloyd]

Nobody knows what they are?

 

[Jimyfloyd]

Had a brain wave last night.

I *think* they are baby Nassarius snails. I put 6 adults in about 4/5 months ago and sort of forgot about then as they promplty went straight into the sand. 3 of them came out last night whilst i was doing a water change.

There are still loads of little ones all over the tank - how long would it take for them to grow up as i think i'll have a slight over supply of them!!

 

[-Nemo-]

Baby Nass. Snails, for reference:

http/www.reefstewardshipfoundation.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=176&d=1206171347

 

[Jimyfloyd]

hmm they don't look like that!

I'll wait a bit more and see if they get bigger so i can get a clearer picture!

 

[jtnova13]

My guess is baby snails. What type of snails do you have in your tank? Maybe stomatella? They reproduce very easily and are common hitchikers.

 

[milkton]

like nemo said, they are Spirobid Worms. No worries, they are reef safe, completely harmless; filter feeders.

Most snails lay their eggs in patterns: zigzag, clutches, etc.. By looking at the picture and the fact that they are small,white,spreaded,shell-like creatures, im 99% certain they are Spirobid Worms.

 

[Jimyfloyd]

I actually do have a load of Spirobrid worm shells over the tank.

But my snails don't look like the pic here: http/justmyreef.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/spirorbis_sp.jpg

They aren't doing any harm so I'm not worried would just like to know what they are!