Cowries reef safe?

Tuan’s Reef · Apr 22, 2019

picked up a couple of cowries . Are they reef safe?

Tuan’s Reef · Apr 22, 2019

Pic

Lloyd Williams · Apr 22, 2019

Wondering myself

Hemmdog · Apr 22, 2019

Yep, they are.

Tastee · Apr 24, 2019

I added 4 to my 65g mixed reef a month ago and love them - better CUC than my other snails for cleaning rocks by a factor of 10. Would love to hear other’s experiences with them.

mort · Apr 24, 2019

Those ones are but many species aren't.

samnaz · Apr 24, 2019

If that’s a gold ring cowrie then yes. I’ve had one for years.

Tuan’s Reef · Apr 24, 2019

mort said:
Those ones are but many species aren't.

I was very hesitant to buy these because I didn’t research about these animals but the LHS assured me they are reef safe. Said they are moneybags or something like that

Been in my tank for 48 hours now and doing just fine. Haven’t noticed them munching on something they shouldn’t but will keep a close eye

Heavymman · Apr 24, 2019

I bought two “money” cowries from reefcleaners and they a super snails as far as cleaning.

Greybeard · Apr 24, 2019

Had a 2" tiger cowry eat a 5" purple ball sponge in under a day.

Many cowries are known sponge eaters. Don't keep sponges in your reef? No problem....

fish farmer · Apr 24, 2019

I gave some xenia to a LFS once and they had a big cowrie(tiger?) munch it down the next day.

Tuan’s Reef · Apr 24, 2019

Dang it. I knew I should of listened to my gut instinct . Just looked them up at liveaquaria and they are “caution” eat sponges , anemones , and soft corals .

Just never ever trust your LHS on anything. I’ll be taking them out when they are in easy reach . Hope I don’t lose any soft corals in that time

TexasReefer82 · Apr 24, 2019

Is Gold Ring cowrie the same thing as Money cowrie? I've heard good things about Money cowries before but have never seen one for sale.

Sounds like Gold Ring cowries could be another possibility for aiptasia control?

Heavymman · Apr 24, 2019

TexasReefer82 said:
Is Gold Ring cowrie the same thing as Money cowrie? I've heard good things about Money cowries before but have never seen one for sale.

Sounds like Gold Ring cowries could be another possibility for aiptasia control?

I’m not sure but I would ask John from reef cleaners. He had the money cowrie’s for sale.

Heavymman · Apr 24, 2019

Tuan’s Reef said:
Dang it. I knew I should of listened to my gut instinct . Just looked them up at liveaquaria and they are “caution” eat sponges , anemones , and soft corals .

Just never ever trust your LHS on anything. I’ll be taking them out when they are in easy reach . Hope I don’t lose any soft corals in that time

Which species do you have? I can’t see from the picture if it’s this gold ring/money cowrie it might not be a big deal. I have two money cowries in my 60 gallon and the only softies I have right now are Zoas, the cowries haven’t even been interested

Heavymman · Apr 24, 2019

Money cowrie according to reef cleaners, I’m going to assume it might be the same as gold ring lol

Tuan’s Reef · Apr 24, 2019

Heavymman said:
Money cowrie according to reef cleaners, I’m going to assume it might be the same as gold ring lol

Yep, 2 gold rings . Hope they are safe.

Heavymman · Apr 24, 2019

Tuan’s Reef said:
Yep, 2 gold rings . Hope they are safe.

Maybe someone who has kept them with soft coral can chime in. It seems like only problem I saw was with the tiger cowrie

TexasReefer82 · Apr 24, 2019

Did a quick Google search, apparently the gold ring and money cowrie are NOT the same. Although they look similar.

Gold Ring cowrie:
Monetaria annulus

Money cowrie:
Monetaria moneta