Moon Snail (Naticidae)

[ssunthar]

Hi Experts, I got a cute pearly moon snail (naticidae) for my tank assuming that it will be reef safe..

Wanted to know if it is indeed reef safe. Also would like to know its dietary requirements. Thanks.

 

[blaxsun]

From what I understand they prefer significantly colder tank water temperatures, so you may have trouble keeping them long-term. They are also predatory, so anything with a hard shell may be fair game.

 

[WheatToast]

From what I understand they prefer significantly colder tank water temperatures, so you may have trouble keeping them long-term. They are also predatory, so anything with a hard shell may be fair game.

Second! There are tropical species, but all the moon snails I know of thrive in frigid waters, such as those off the coast of California. In terms of being predatory, Moon snails love to dine on bivalves (ex. clams) and other gastropods (snails) by drilling into their shells.

 

[LegalReefer]

I'd be careful with that one, it will eat all your snails and anything with a shell. Reef safe might be a stretch. If it's an Atlantic Moon Snail, I know they can survive warmer water environments, but we'd need some more information. How on earth did you get one?

Edit: Kept an Atlantic moon snail when I worked on the Carolina coastline. They need a pretty consistent diet of bivalves or snails; they are also cannibals, so I hope you only got the one.

 

[ssunthar]

From what I understand they prefer significantly colder tank water temperatures, so you may have trouble keeping them long-term. They are also predatory, so anything with a hard shell may be fair game.

Opss... Do you think it will go after my LPS and softies?

 

[LegalReefer]

Opss... Do you think it will go after my LPS and softies?

I don't know, don't think they're corallivores, but if it gets hungry enough, who knows?

 

[ssunthar]

Second! There are tropical species, but all the moon snails I know of thrive in frigid waters, such as those off the coast of California. In terms of being predatory, Moon snails love to dine on bivalves (ex. clams) and other gastropods (snails) by drilling into their shells.

Not very sure where mine came from, the LFS I got it from told me it is reef safe... ☹

 

[ssunthar]

I'd be careful with that one, it will eat all your snails and anything with a shell. Reef safe might be a stretch. If it's an Atlantic Moon Snail, I know they can survive warmer water environments, but we'd need some more information. How on earth did you get one?

Edit: Kept an Atlantic moon snail when I worked on the Carolina coastline. They need a pretty consistent diet of bivalves or snails; they are also cannibals, so I hope you only got the one.

I live in Singapore and i got from a LFS here (did not check where it came from). No... i have a whole range of other snails and an abalone as my CUC. I am unable to locate it now... as soon as I see it, will dump it into my sump (to start with).

 

[ssunthar]

I don't know, don't think they're corallivores, but if it gets hungry enough, who knows?

It will go into the sump as soon as i see it.

 

[LegalReefer]

I live in Singapore and i got from a LFS here (did not check where it came from). No... i have a whole range of other snails and an abalone as my CUC. I am unable to locate it now... as soon as I see it, will dump it into my sump (to start with).

If you've got an abalone I would definitely pull it ASAP. Moon snails like to bury themselves in the sand, so it's probably buried somewhere at the moment. They might be nocturnal, so check your tank at night for better luck.

Singapore eh? I've always wanted to visit! I bet you get some cool stuff in your local fishstores that we don't ever see here in the States. Got a full tank shot to show off, by chance?

 

[Macdaddynick1]

I tried keeping two, and they don’t last very long.

 

[ssunthar]

If you've got an abalone I would definitely pull it ASAP. Moon snails like to bury themselves in the sand, so it's probably buried somewhere at the moment. They might be nocturnal, so check your tank at night for better luck.

Singapore eh? I've always wanted to visit! I bet you get some cool stuff in your local fishstores that we don't ever see here in the States. Got a full tank shot to show off, by chance?

Ha ha... we always envy what you can get your hands on over there. Mine is just a few moths old.. not much to show right now. Will do that.. hopefully soon. Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[ssunthar]

Have been looking for it... but I can locate it... will keep all posted. Thanks.

 

[Aboynamedsous2]

Hi Experts, I got a cute pearly moon snail (naticidae) for my tank assuming that it will be reef safe..

Wanted to know if it is indeed reef safe. Also would like to know its dietary requirements. Thanks.

I’m curious where did you find it? I’ve been trying to get ahold of one to live in my refugium.

 

[WheatToast]

I’m curious where did you find it? I’ve been trying to get ahold of one to live in my refugium.

OP lives in Singapore and purchased from a LFS there. So, being hobbyists from the United States, we’re kind of out of luck…

But I still have you covered:
Gulf Specimen Marine Laboratory
You can purchase a coldwater/tropical species of Moon snail from this source (but minimum purchase cost is $70, for animals only).

 

[Aboynamedsous2]

OP lives in Singapore and purchased from a LFS there. So, being hobbyists from the United States, we’re kind of out of luck…

But I still have you covered:
Gulf Specimen Marine Laboratory
You can purchase a coldwater/tropical species of Moon snail from this source (but minimum purchase cost is $70, for animals only).

Thanks

 

[WheatToast]

Have been looking for it... but I can locate it... will keep all posted. Thanks.

I’m curious where did you find it? I’ve been trying to get ahold of one to live in my refugium.

Update?

 

[ssunthar]

Update?

He is alive and kicking but very illusive... so far no major damages done... will try to get a pic to share. In Singapore it is not very common but we can find it in most LFS.