Snail Behavior

[newton27]

I have a question about my marine system that has been running since 12-1-06, 40g sump, live rock, 40 lbs seaflor. I have some turban, and nassarius snails. Why would they gather at the top of the aquarium, and remain dormant for most of the day. I have tested the water and all levels are at zero and ph at 8.2, 1.024.

[Ninong]

Turbo snails and Nassarius snails do not usually "gather at the top of the aquarium and remain dormant for most of the day." Nerite snails do this but not Turbo snails nor Nassarius. Nerite snails like to climb all the way up to the water line and remain there all day long. Then they wake up after dark.

Saying you have "turban" snails is a rather broad description. Do you know what they are?

Nassarius snails will usually bury themselves in the top layer of the sand bed with just their siphon stinking out but they don't do that all the time. Sometimes they roam all over the tank, including climbing the walls and even going over the overflow.

[PDAJunkie]

Snails are 'nocturnal animals', meaning they are most active at night. It is not uncommon at all of what you are seeing. Sometimes, when introduced to a new tank, they won't move for a couple of days. Good luck on your new tank. This is a great hobbie to be in.

[newton27]

I guess I meant Turbo Snails...after writing this morning, the snails moved all over my rocks today. Thanks for the relpys though.

[Ninong]

I guess I meant Turbo Snails...after writing this morning, the snails moved all over my rocks today. Thanks for the relpys though.

Actually Turban snails is just another name for Turbo snails but I was wondering if you knew the scientific name of these snails. There are an awful lot of different Turbo snails.

Anyway, it would be unusual behavior for Turbo snails to congregate at the top of the aquarium and remain there all day. The reason some Nerita snails do this is because they are intertidal species. There are also some subtidal Nerita snails but most of the ones available in the hobby seem to be intertidal. Those have a need to get above the water line from time to time.

The large Turbo snails that are frequently available in the hobby, Mexican Turbo snails (Turbo fluctuosa), come from Baja and they are not exactly tropical. They feed primarily on diatoms.

[newton27]

Well I did some research on google images, I do have 1 margarita snail (Neritidae nerita funiculata) , 6 mexican turbos (astrea tecta), 2 baby nerite's (nerita tessellate tessellated), 2 stomatella (Stomatella varia)</SPAN>
, 3 nassarius (nassarius vibex), and 3 or 4 baby bumble bees (Engina).

[Ninong]

Astraea tecta is not called Mexican turbo snail. Here are some pics of Astraea tecta. Here is a picture of Turbo fluctuosus, commonly called the Mexican turbo snail or the Pacific turbo snail. It is found from Baja California to Peru and the Galapagos Islands. Notice that the shell is shaped like a turban. Here's a very good article on Turbo, Trochus, Astraea & Kin.

Here is a good article that includes Nerites. And here's the last article in that three-part series. Here's a picture of Nerita funiculata. It has the same range as Turbo fluctuosus. There are three or four entirely different species of snails that are sold in the hobby and called "Margarita snails."

Bumble bee snails (Engina spp.) have been reported to be predatory on other snails. You may want to watch these.

Stomatella varia are a great addition to a reef aquarium and they will reproduce like crazy but they are susceptible to attack by hermit crabs. Just another reason for not keeping all that many, if any, hermit crabs. Nassarius vibex are great provided you don't try to keep too many of them. They are not grazers like your other snails; they eat only carrion and meaty detritus. They are great for keeping the top of the sand bed stirred up.