Is my snail explosion a bad thing?

[Caesar Augustus]

I believe their mexican turbos. I've cut back on my hermit population and since doing this I see baby snails everywhere. The rock is sparkling clean but I tell you the population grows daily. Is this going to be a huge future problem? Is adding a few more blue legs the answer? Its a 55 gal DSB tank that I'm in the process of reefing out. Any takers on this one?
Keep the reef,
Napoleon

[Mikeman]

I would guess some other thing would eat them, personally I wouldn't get the blue legs

[FishTechie]

can you start sellling them back to your lfs???i'd also make sure they are Mexican turbos. can you post a pic?

[ravenmore]

I don't think they're baby snails, but rather a hitchiker species that stays small. I believe they can be in the astrea family, and are usually algae grazers. These tend to be mainly nocturnal. I believe if you go to reefcentral they have a hitchiker faq written by Rob Toonen that has some more info on these. I have a ton of 'em myself, and they're a welcome addition.

-Mike

[ravenmore]

Doh, sorry, it was in the library at reefs.org. Here's a link:

http://www.reefs.org/hhfaq/

There's 3 or so sections/pages, you use the quick jump feature to move between sections.

-Mike

[SKRIZ]

more than likely, they are baby snails. i have hundreds in my tank and they do a great job of keeping the tank clean. They are definately a good sign that your tank is healthy. i dont see them being a problem at all. I would let them be and enjoy the tank

[hcp28]

I'd say don't worry about it the population will level out once the food source is depleted, so you could sell the extras to your LFS or give themt o your fellow reefers *nudge nudge wink wink, a nudge's as good as a wink to a blind bat* (sorry I just couln't help that )

[mapman]

I'm in a similiar predictament and the little varments will, after awhile, get into the venturi of your skimmer and have to be cleared out every so often. You'll notice this when the skimmer stops skimming.

[ravenmore]

Sorry, still think you're probably talking about a minature species from either the genus Arene or Macarene (don't worry, I'm not that smart, got the latin names from an article by Dr. Shimek). The reason I don't think it's baby snails is that I think most turbos don't readily reproduce in aquaria - they have a planktonic life stage that doesn't survive readily in a tank. (need to get somebody like Dr. Shimek or Rob Toonen to double check me on that little tidbit...). In any event the proof will be if these guys stay small.....

I REALLY, REALLY, REALLY do not recommend hermits. In fact, your lack of hermits is probably why the populations of these snails has done so well. Blue legs, or any other hermit, would likely attack and eat them.

-Mike

[ravenmore]

Here, does it look anything like this?

[Caesar Augustus]

First of all thanks for all the 411. They do look like the last pic but the shells on their backs are very small, smaller than their bodies. They are everywhere but your right, the tank is very clean. thanks all,
Napoleon

[Starmstr]

I'd like to hear knowledgeable input on this one also. I too have had an explosive snail breeding to the point that I do believe that they're causing some type of harm to my system. I have probably close to 700 of the baby snails the size of pellets and I worry about then busting impellers within my pumps.

[FishKid]

I'va also had an explosion, but my tank certainly aint clean! hopefully it will be!

mark