Snails crawling all over my clam

Timrpn · May 13, 2018

Hi there,

I just got this clam yesterday and everything was fine. I went out for the day and came home and saw these snails all over the clam, are they hurting it? Cleaning? What is going on? I have tried to brush them off but they keep going back to it.

Jose Mayo · May 13, 2018

The shape of the snails, and the proboscis, resembles whelk snails ... feed on shellfish and may be wanting to eat clam.

Regards

Timrpn · May 13, 2018

The snails are Nassarius snails. Got a while back as a CUC

WVNed · May 13, 2018

"The Nassarius Snail is a saltwater snail that is used as part of a clean up crew that sifts through the substrate (live sand) looking for bits of detritus. Detritus can be thought of as uneaten foods, fish waste, and any dead or dying organisms."

They dont eat algae.

botheboss · May 13, 2018

I seen them eat dead stuff. You sure your clam is still in good health? I have nassarius snails in my tank and have never seen the anywhere around my clam.

Timrpn · May 13, 2018

He was wide open all day today, and then just went out for Mother’s Day dinner to 4 snails on it.

Timrpn · May 13, 2018

Timrpn said:
He was wide open all day today, and then just went out for Mother’s Day dinner to 4 snails on it.

All closed up now

botheboss · May 13, 2018

I try moving it off the sand for a while. Just to keep it away form the snails and see if it’s still healthy.

reef lover · May 14, 2018

Either the clam is dying and the Nas are eating it or they are whelks...

tastyfish · May 14, 2018

Can you get one of the snails out and take a couple of pics of the shell and the underside please?

As above, if they are nassarius, then they eat detritus and dead or dying things. I would check the clam out carefully, one minute they appear fine, the next, gaped open and dead. Check the sand underneath it for other snails or possibly polyclads

OriginalUserName · May 14, 2018

Timrpn said:
The snails are Nassarius snails. Got a while back as a CUC

Grab them and post a pic of the underside. I had a whelk come in with some Nassarius and didn't realize what he was until it got twice the size of my other snails.

It's hard to tell size but they seem a little on the large size.

Timrpn · May 14, 2018

Maritimer · May 14, 2018

Those are the Nassarius they call Tonga.

How's the clam doing?

~Bruce

Timrpn · May 14, 2018

I believe i see blue tissue in the shell, it is shut pretty tight. My wife tried to open the shell and was unable to, is that a good sign? I moved him up onto the rock work to deter the snails from getting at him, since moving him there i have not see a snail go after it.

Tahoe61 · May 14, 2018

The snails are most likely attracted by the sent of decay, unfortunately a dying clam.

Timrpn · May 14, 2018

Tahoe61 said:
The snails are most likely attracted by the sent of decay, unfortunately a dying clam.

If it was still dying, would they not go to it on the rock work? I can still see blue tissue in it, sucks because i just got it 2 days ago. I hope your all wrong lol

Tahoe61 · May 14, 2018

Posting an image currently would really help please.

Timrpn · May 14, 2018

Tahoe61 said:
Posting an image currently would really help please.

I really don’t want to move it, the picture would be junk as it is currently under blue light in “moon rising” or whatever it is. It is blue lol.

Timrpn · May 14, 2018

Timrpn said:
I really don’t want to move it, the picture would be junk as it is currently under blue light in “moon rising” or whatever it is. It is blue lol.