SO MANY BABY SNAILS, is this normal???

rosetc16 · Jul 21, 2015

I have a 40 gallon tank with two clowns, two dartfish, a blenny, and a red blood shrimp. I also have about 7-8 hermit crabs and about 4-5 small snails.... I just came back from a week long vacation and it looks as if my snails have given birth... I have at least 12 (I think more) baby snails who have yet to grow a shell, but I can see it developing. Is this normal and if yes, is it a good thing? Kinda new to reef tanks so I need to know what to do! Thank you everyone!

Trey

Daytonareefing · Jul 21, 2015

Please post a picture of them.

rosetc16 · Jul 21, 2015

This was the best I could do to get a picture. they are everywhere. Some are bigger than others. You can see how big they are next to the hermit crab and dartfish. Some I can tell are developing and they must be the size of a few pieces of salt

rosetc16 · Jul 21, 2015

Hopefully these pictures help

evolved · Jul 21, 2015

Stomatella snails, and yes; they'll reproduce in the tank.

rosetc16 · Jul 21, 2015

evolved said:
Stomatella snails, and yes; they'll reproduce in the tank.

Do I need to remove them? How did they get in there if I didn't have one to begin with

evolved · Jul 21, 2015

No need to remove; population is self limiting. I promise you had some hitch-hike in you were unaware of, unless the snail fairy made a visit to you!

bobbychullo · Jul 21, 2015

rosetc16 said:
Do I need to remove them? How did they get in there if I didn't have one to begin with

beneficial algae eaters, you should keep them.

Cleo642 · Jul 21, 2015

Your rock is so green. It's like Irish hills.lol

rosetc16 · Jul 22, 2015

Cleo642 said:
Your rock is so green. It's like Irish hills.lol

It's only because I turned on my lights to 100% white and 0% blue to take the picture. How can I prevent it? My levels are really good and the algae build up doesn't seem bad, but I agree, the pictures don't do it any good haha

Cleo642 · Jul 22, 2015

rosetc16 said:
It's only because I turned on my lights to 100% white and 0% blue to take the picture. How can I prevent it? My levels are really good and the algae build up doesn't seem bad, but I agree, the pictures don't do it any good haha

No, leave them. It's so pretty and picturesque.
But maybe if you want more purple coralline algae you can try that Purple-up stuff. It's supposed to help grow more purple and pink algae.

bobbychullo · Jul 22, 2015

My advice: don't do anything. definitely don't add purple up. Don't add things to your tank other than whats needed. you're just asking for trouble.

practice good husbandry and with time, everything should balance out. patience will save you time and money in this hobby...

Cleo642 · Jul 22, 2015

Many people use that product, many different other products. Up to them.

bobbychullo · Jul 22, 2015

I understand, that's why I said, "my advice...". A suggestion, that's all it is really, he doesn't have to listen

Cleo642 · Jul 22, 2015

bobbychullo said:
I understand, that's why I said, "my advice...". A suggestion, that's all it is really, he doesn't have to listen

That's cool, I understood.lol. All purple up is is nutrients to help the good algae grow but I think you get those same general nutrients in the salt mix. Idk

laineyg6 · Jul 23, 2015

Stomatella snails are very cool. I would leave them alone. Personally, I sort of list after them. If they a re trying to reach from one place to another, they can be very acrobatic. If you feel like you have too many (in the future), you could see if your LFS would take them off your hands.

evolved · Jul 23, 2015

Cleo642 said:
All purple up is is nutrients to help the good algae grow

Mmm, not exactly... The silica sand in it is not something I'd consider helpful...

Bensadork · Jul 23, 2015

those are definitely stomatella snails. You say they don't have a shell yet, but I would have to say that yeah, they do have shells. Unlike other snails you may see in tanks, stomatella shells are maybe like half the size of their body. A while ago, before i even got any fish for my tank I caught one of my stomatellas in the act of makin babies. I thought it was cool as can be and took a video. In my opinion, the more stomatellas the better. They don't hurt anything in your tank and are great for algae cleanup. Plus they are fast little suckers.