Is this a Vermetid snail?

[Rennurdoar]

It started out very small on the side of the hammer. Then slowly started getting bigger. Over the last week it's gotten even bigger. Thought it was nothing but now not sure. It's the only one thing in the tank I've seen like it. And if so, should I just smash it against the skeleton or remove the frag and remove it outside of tank? Thanks in advance!

 

[steveschuerger]

Yeah, probably. Looks like the verms that I’ve gotten

 

[Rennurdoar]

Yeah, probably. Looks like the verms that I’ve gotten

Well, dangit! I'll do some more research on 'em. I know I've seen it said that everyone has 'em, and they're not to big of a deal to worry about. But figure better to find out for sure on a positive ID. Thanks @steveschuerger for the reply!

 

[s_tooz_123]

Agree....vermetid.

Rather than pull the hammer out, if you can reach it adequately, I would grab a pair of pliers and try to pull as much of it off as you can. The purple/maroon part will be tough but the pliers should get through it just fine.

This process worked for me in the past without any kind of vermetid breakout after the removal.

 

[steveschuerger]

Well, dangit! I'll do some more research on 'em. I know I've seen it said that everyone has 'em, and they're not to big of a deal to worry about. But figure better to find out for sure on a positive ID. Thanks @steveschuerger for the reply!

No prob. Options include gluing the open end, getting a predator like bumblebee snails

 

[Rennurdoar]

Agree....vermetid.

Rather than pull the hammer out, if you can reach it adequately, I would grab a pair of pliers and try to pull as much of it off as you can. The purple/maroon part will be tough but the pliers should get through it just fine.

This process worked for me in the past without any kind of vermetid breakout after the removal.

Excellent! Thanks for that information also! I picked up the BRS Frag kit so I should have some pliers or cutters in there that'll take it off. I can reach it without removing it, just wanted to make sure doing so wouldn't make an infestation worse.

 

[Rennurdoar]

No prob. Options include gluing the open end, getting a predator like bumblebee snails

Awesome, was going to pick up some new Astraea snails after seeing that's what SBB has in his tanks. I have some trochus and cerith currently. I'll see if my LFS has any bumblebees tomorrow also!

 

[exnisstech]

They can be a problem if they overpopulate. To my knowledge they have no known predator. Bumble bee snails and wrasses are hit or miss at best from everything I have read. I have a bunch and now they are under my Monti caps affecting their growth pattern so they can be problematic at least IMO

 

[Rennurdoar]

They can be a problem if they overpopulate. To my knowledge they have no known predator. Bumble bee snails and wrasses are hit or miss at best from everything I have read. I have a bunch and now they are under my Monti caps affecting their growth pattern so they can be problematic at least IMO

Good to know! I'll be removing this one this evening here soon. So hopefully won't see more, but I expect to. I'll remove them as I see them.