Sand piles

[Spaceshrimp]

I keep finding these small piles of sand appear all over the tank but i dont know where they are coming from?

 

[ZoWhat]

Sand sifting critters that build lil tubes as their homes. Completely harmless, actually a good sign that micro critters are populating your tank.

Someone will know the "official" name of the critters, I just cant recall them. Prob some type of worm

 

[saltyhog]

I have had this phenomenon as well. I have attributed it to spaghetti worms but when I scoop up one of the piles I can never find anything of substance. Agree with @skimjim , some kind of sand sifting critter. In my case it may be some of sand burrowing snails (ceriths, conchs).

 

[Spaceshrimp]

I have had this phenomenon as well. I have attributed it to spaghetti worms but when I scoop up one of the piles I can never find anything of substance. Agree with @skimjim , some kind of sand sifting critter. In my case it may be some of sand burrowing snails (ceriths, conchs).

There is a whelk would that be cause of the piles?

 

[saltyhog]

There is a whelk would that be cause of the piles?

Couldn't say for sure but since that genus of snails are sand sleepers I would guess it's possible. Are you sure it's a whelk? Whelks are usually predatory on other snails/claims/etc.

 

[Spaceshrimp]

Couldn't say for sure but since that genus of snails are sand sleepers I would guess it's possible. Are you sure it's a whelk? Whelks are usually predatory on other snails/claims/etc.

The snail is nocturnal and i did have two nassarius snails go missing after two days but that could of been from something else