Limpet snail Predator

[Reefahholic]

If anybody knows what fish or critter will munch on about 1,000 Limpet snails plz let me know. Ready to decimate the population in my system.

 

[WalkerLovesTheOcean]

Any invert that will eat those will also eat any other invertabrate in your tank. Manual removal is likely the best option.

 

[AlyciaMarie Verified Admin]

That's a lot of limpets, but I agree with @WalkerLovesTheOcean. Manual removal will probably be best. Some fish and inverts may eat them, but from what I understand, those options will likely cause rebound issues, such as eating coral and other desirable inverts.

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

If anybody knows what fish or critter will munch on about 1,000 Limpet snails plz let me know. Ready to decimate the population in my system.

Some predatory snails (such as whelks and muricid/murex snails) may eat them - they'll eat other snails and bivalves (oysters, clams, etc.) in the tank too though. They should be coral-safe though, so it might be a worthwhile exchange for you.

 

[WalkerLovesTheOcean]

Some predatory snails (such as whelks and muricid/murex snails) may eat them - they'll eat other snails and bivalves (oysters, clams, etc.) in the tank too though. They should be coral-safe though, so it might be a worthwhile exchange for you.

I though murex/muricid snails ate coral, no? Just what I've read. I could be wrong.

 

[silent1mezzo]

Oof, I have an infestation of these as well but didn't know their names.

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

I though murex/muricid snails ate coral, no? Just what I've read. I could be wrong.

A handful do - I know genera from three different subfamilies (Rapaninae, Ergalataxinae, and Coralliophilinae) do, but they're usually pretty easy to differentiate from other members of the family like the Lace Murex or Apple Murex though, which are mollusc predators (snails, bivalves, etc.).

 

[taricha]

This is not a solution, but my randall's pistol shrimp will eat the ones within a few inches of his tunnel!

 

[WalkerLovesTheOcean]

This is not a solution, but my randall's pistol shrimp will eat the ones within a few inches of his tunnel!

Ha! That's a really cool video!

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

This is not a solution, but my randall's pistol shrimp will eat the ones within a few inches of his tunnel!

Out of curiosity, do you see it actually eating them or do you find the empty shells after? I ask because I've heard of people seeing snails/hermits brought into the burrow by the shrimp only to crawl back out a while later, and I'm wondering if you've seen the same or if it seems to actually eat them in your experience.

 

[BristleWormHater]

If anybody knows what fish or critter will munch on about 1,000 Limpet snails plz let me know. Ready to decimate the population in my system.

I'll take them

 

[Reefahholic]

Any invert that will eat those will also eat any other invertabrate in your tank. Manual removal is likely the best option.

Too many to manually remove. They’re everywhere and in the plumbing, overflow, skimmer, pump inlets, etc. They multiple too fast.

 

[Gtinnel]

I have a lot of limpets in my sump but I never see one in the display so something in my tank keeps the numbers down. I’ve always assumed it was my Melanurus wrasse but that is just a guess.

 

[Reefahholic]

I have a lot of limpets in my sump but I never see one in the display so something in my tank keeps the numbers down. I’ve always assumed it was my Melanurus wrasse but that is just a guess.

I’ve heard they well, and somebody said their 6-line nails them.

 

[Reefahholic]

I may try a Niger trigger.

 

[Doctorgori]

wow, those micro limpets do seem to come and go, along with micro serpent stars, micro feather dusters, et…
Following as I wish I knew what causes these population explosions…

 

[taricha]

Out of curiosity, do you see it actually eating them or do you find the empty shells after? I ask because I've heard of people seeing snails/hermits brought into the burrow by the shrimp only to crawl back out a while later, and I'm wondering if you've seen the same or if it seems to actually eat them in your experience.

never seen them escape. The shrimp went back and forth for a few minutes between his big claw and small one trying to pry that snail off the glass until he got it.
Seems the shrimp always clears the area near their tunnel opening of those little snails.

 

[Reefahholic]

never seen them escape. The shrimp went back and forth for a few minutes between his big claw and small one trying to pry that snail off the glass until he got it.
Seems the shrimp always clears the area near their tunnel opening of those little snails.

He’s not having anybody by his house. Hehe. Plus good snack for him.