Sundial Snails - tiny predators - Page 2

melev · 07/05/2005, 01:28 PM

Frick-n-Frags · 07/05/2005, 01:32 PM

I'll keep looking as not all of them have presented themselves on the front glass for inspection yet.

alphaferret · 07/05/2005, 01:37 PM

so if it does not have the rattletail- it ain't it?

melev · 07/05/2005, 03:20 PM

Have you seen one without it? I really don't know what that thing is. I wonder if it might be the beginnings of a baby Sundial perhaps.

alphaferret · 07/05/2005, 03:25 PM

i saw a simular snail- had heard about sundials-got ruid of him quick and found another the next day-showed my girl so she can keep an eye out
but i do not remember the rattler part - jus curious
when i find the next i'll check

Anemone · 07/05/2005, 03:44 PM

The "rattlesnake tail" thing is the operculum - the covering for the shell opening. In most snails it's more of a flat disk, the sundial snail's operculum is more ornate.

Kevin

romunov · 07/05/2005, 11:21 PM

Quote:

Well if the clam ones and the Astrea ones are different, they would be a real bear to ID because they look identical.

ID doesn't really matter. What matters is where you pick them off from.

Most snails are not "IDable" by most hobbists.

InsaneClownFish · 07/06/2005, 04:48 AM

romunov is 100% correct here. In fact I was getting ready to respond to Fricks about the pyramid snails when I noticed our resident "Worm person" had clarified things.

I currently have an infestation that has traveled amongst my Astreas and Trochus. These snails have traveled across my clams....but none of their hitchhikers have jumped ship.

I also remember reading this awhile back in Dr.Ron's forum....pyramid snails are specialized parasites. Kinda how a certain Nudi will only eat Aiptasia.

Quote:

Most snails are not "IDable" by most hobbists.

Another good point. I have pyramids on my snails, but I also have another "brand" of seemingly identical snails in my tank. The difference? About 2 or 3mm.

That 2 or 3mm makes it a completely different snail.

Now all everyone has to do is tell me that the miniscule keyhole limpet I found in my tank a few weeks back isn't going to decide to make lunch of my clams.

God I am glad I got that "Thorn Latirus" outta my tank. Description: "Eats Bivalves" Lovely...

By the way...nice pics Marc...

romunov · 07/06/2005, 08:05 AM

InsaneClownFish, if you could get a picture of each specimen (one from clam and one from the snail) under a dissection microscope...

The difference would be noticable to even the hard nuts.

TheCoralNabber · 07/08/2005, 09:40 AM

I found a sundial not too long ago munching on some zoos in my 75. I've got so many of them that I put him on some that I wanted to get rid of to see if he wouldn't munch on them for a while, but he didn't do much with them before running off. I'm going to keep my eye out for him again. He's gotten to be pretty big though 3/4" or so. I'll post some pics of him when I find him again. If anyone wants one on the east coast let me know, and you can have him

Dan

dc · 07/08/2005, 09:51 AM

At least you can see the snails, those darn nudi fold up and look like zoos during the day. Practically invisible.

Sugar Magnolia · 07/08/2005, 10:01 AM

Great thread and pics.

I know some people confuse the collonista snail with the sundial. Ive seen a few threads asking about that.

The Saltwater Kid · 05/21/2006, 10:57 PM

Is there a natural predator for Sundial snails (like a fish, crab shrimp etc.) or do i just have to pick them out as i notice them? I have a new tank but i do plan on having some soft corals including zooanthids. I saw two tonight, was able to pick one out but I dropped the other behind some rock before i got him out. Thanks!!!

cschweitzer · 07/13/2006, 12:06 PM

I feed sundials to my mantis shrimp...he loves 'em

Circle of life.

cschweitzer · 07/13/2006, 12:07 PM

By the way, I have seen those tiny white snails before and will try to collect some to either photo or send to you, Marc.

murdoc · 07/13/2006, 12:17 PM

my tank is all zooanthid and ricordias, i see these snails all the time, is there a predator for Sundial snails -maybe sea-grass wrasse

RichConley · 07/13/2006, 12:35 PM

I wouldnt be surprised to see if any of hte halicoeres wrasses eat them. FME, they tend to eat any kind of small snail they can get at. Mine eats all my stomatellas. (H. Melanurus)

murdoc · 07/13/2006, 01:27 PM

what are some common names for wrasses that will eat sundials

melev · 07/14/2006, 04:34 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by murdoc
what are some common names for wrasses that will eat sundials

The Yellow Coris Wrasse.

murdoc · 07/14/2006, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by melev
The Yellow Coris Wrasse.

thanks -was going to attempt a four line wrasse

mfinn · 07/14/2006, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by melev
The Yellow Coris Wrasse.

Have you actually seen a yellow coris wrasse eat a sundial snail?

I had a green coris wrasse that I did see go after nudibranchs.
I had to get rid of him when he got too aggressive hunting for nudi's.

melev · 07/14/2006, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mfinn
Have you actually seen a yellow coris wrasse eat a sundial snail?

I had a green coris wrasse that I did see go after nudibranchs.
I had to get rid of him when he got too aggressive hunting for nudi's.

This is one of the ones that were mentioned above:

Quote:

Originally posted by RichConley
I wouldnt be surprised to see if any of hte halicoeres wrasses eat them. FME, they tend to eat any kind of small snail they can get at. Mine eats all my stomatellas. (H. Melanurus)

The common name for the last wrasse is the Yellow Coris Wrasse. I have a feeling my Lemon Meringue Wrasse (it has a white belly) would eat them as well. I've observed it eat baby brittle starfish, white worms (palps), small bristleworms, and stomatella.

edandsandy · 11/14/2009, 07:57 AM

Marc,
Is the sundial snail harmful to clams?
We has a TON of zoo's & GSP I would love to get rid of, I just don't want them to harm my clams

melev · 11/18/2009, 12:22 PM

I don't think so, Sandy. They are known zoanthid predators.

jollyballs · 11/18/2009, 04:06 PM

great pics of both. i have yet to see any of these creatures in my tank, thank God, and hope to never see them either.

07/05/2005, 01:32 PM	#27
Frick-n-Frags Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: north central OH Posts: 10,740	I'll keep looking as not all of them have presented themselves on the front glass for inspection yet. __________________ Only Dead fish swim with the current. Current Tank Info: 2 50 gal tanks, sump, still BB

07/05/2005, 01:37 PM	#28
alphaferret Pitcher Hill Reef Society Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Nor' Syracuse Posts: 2,824	so if it does not have the rattletail- it ain't it? __________________ "With what little time we have we must..." Current Tank Info: 46 bow w/20 gal sump/30 gal. fuge/Reef Octo 150/Seio m620/koralia 3/mag5/Nova extreme t5/Powerbrite actinic LED

07/05/2005, 03:25 PM	#30
alphaferret Pitcher Hill Reef Society Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Nor' Syracuse Posts: 2,824	i saw a simular snail- had heard about sundials-got ruid of him quick and found another the next day-showed my girl so she can keep an eye out but i do not remember the rattler part - jus curious when i find the next i'll check __________________ "With what little time we have we must..." Current Tank Info: 46 bow w/20 gal sump/30 gal. fuge/Reef Octo 150/Seio m620/koralia 3/mag5/Nova extreme t5/Powerbrite actinic LED

07/05/2005, 03:44 PM	#31
Anemone Cloning Around Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Valencia, California Posts: 25,267	The "rattlesnake tail" thing is the operculum - the covering for the shell opening. In most snails it's more of a flat disk, the sundial snail's operculum is more ornate. Kevin __________________ Back in the pool, swimming with the sharks... Current Tank Info: Red Sea 425XL w/Kessil AP700, Vertex 180i Skimmer, 2 x Vortech MP40s

07/06/2005, 08:05 AM	#34
romunov Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 4,453	InsaneClownFish, if you could get a picture of each specimen (one from clam and one from the snail) under a dissection microscope... The difference would be noticable to even the hard nuts. __________________ Life is too short to learn everything from experience. "And ye shall know the Truth and the Truth shall set you free."

07/05/2005, 01:28 PM	#26
melev Moved On Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Ft Worth, Tx Posts: 43,217

07/05/2005, 03:20 PM	#29
melev Moved On Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Ft Worth, Tx Posts: 43,217	Have you seen one without it? I really don't know what that thing is. I wonder if it might be the beginnings of a baby Sundial perhaps.

07/08/2005, 09:40 AM	#35
TheCoralNabber Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Durham, NC Posts: 554	I found a sundial not too long ago munching on some zoos in my 75. I've got so many of them that I put him on some that I wanted to get rid of to see if he wouldn't munch on them for a while, but he didn't do much with them before running off. I'm going to keep my eye out for him again. He's gotten to be pretty big though 3/4" or so. I'll post some pics of him when I find him again. If anyone wants one on the east coast let me know, and you can have him Dan __________________ This spot for rent for frags! Back at it... Watch out or I'll Nab your Corals! Current Tank Info: 12g nano been going since '04 has been mostly FO but not adding some more corals

07/08/2005, 09:51 AM	#36
dc Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Wyoming Posts: 44,684	At least you can see the snails, those darn nudi fold up and look like zoos during the day. Practically invisible. __________________ Debi ~60 Cube~ Why? Because I said so of course. -Sent via Tapatalk Smoke Signals-

07/08/2005, 10:01 AM	#37
Sugar Magnolia Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Northern VA Posts: 17,691	Great thread and pics. I know some people confuse the collonista snail with the sundial. Ive seen a few threads asking about that. __________________ Adrienne The only thing to fear is fear itself....and spiders.

05/21/2006, 10:57 PM	#38
The Saltwater Kid Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Barre, VT Posts: 2,586	Is there a natural predator for Sundial snails (like a fish, crab shrimp etc.) or do i just have to pick them out as i notice them? I have a new tank but i do plan on having some soft corals including zooanthids. I saw two tonight, was able to pick one out but I dropped the other behind some rock before i got him out. Thanks!!! __________________ Oceanic Biocube 14g Nano Tank w/middle chamber refugium mod 2 Ecoxotic Power Pro LED Modules (1 - 12K/Royal Blue combo, 1 - Royal Blue) MaxiJet 900 return, VorTech MP10 circulation Livestock: Higher End Z's & P's, few mushrooms, Aussie Duncan, Maxi Mini Carpet Anemone

07/13/2006, 12:06 PM	#39
cschweitzer Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: UCF area, Orlando, Fl Posts: 3,163	I feed sundials to my mantis shrimp...he loves 'em Circle of life. __________________ Two fish are sitting in a tank...one looks over to the other and says, "I hope you know how to drive this thing!" Current Tank Info: 180G, mandarin dragonette, a leather, an acan, and a micromussa

07/13/2006, 12:07 PM	#40
cschweitzer Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: UCF area, Orlando, Fl Posts: 3,163	By the way, I have seen those tiny white snails before and will try to collect some to either photo or send to you, Marc. __________________ Two fish are sitting in a tank...one looks over to the other and says, "I hope you know how to drive this thing!" Current Tank Info: 180G, mandarin dragonette, a leather, an acan, and a micromussa

07/13/2006, 12:17 PM	#41
murdoc Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 12	my tank is all zooanthid and ricordias, i see these snails all the time, is there a predator for Sundial snails -maybe sea-grass wrasse

07/13/2006, 12:35 PM	#42
RichConley Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Bostonian in Chicago going to DC Posts: 9,908	I wouldnt be surprised to see if any of hte halicoeres wrasses eat them. FME, they tend to eat any kind of small snail they can get at. Mine eats all my stomatellas. (H. Melanurus) __________________ NO TANKS!!!

07/13/2006, 01:27 PM	#43
murdoc Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 12	what are some common names for wrasses that will eat sundials

11/14/2009, 07:57 AM	#48
edandsandy Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: NE Florida Posts: 2,380 Blog Entries: 2	Marc, Is the sundial snail harmful to clams? We has a TON of zoo's & GSP I would love to get rid of, I just don't want them to harm my clams __________________ Sandy ><((((º>`•.¸¸.•><((((º>´¯`•><((((º> .¸¸.><((((º>•.¸. , . .•><((((º>.¸¸. Current Tank Info: 375 Reef, 4) Radion LED lights X30 pro, Apex Fusion, Octo Regal 300 E Skimmer, GEO 618 Calcium Reactor 2) Reeflo Snapper pumps, 2)50g refugium, 2) MP 40's

11/18/2009, 12:22 PM	#49
melev Moved On Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Ft Worth, Tx Posts: 43,217	I don't think so, Sandy. They are known zoanthid predators.

11/18/2009, 04:06 PM	#50
jollyballs Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Vanderbilt, PA Posts: 60	great pics of both. i have yet to see any of these creatures in my tank, thank God, and hope to never see them either.