Clam predators

[fishypets]

Anyone keeping clams should be aware of pyramid snails These little buggers can really stress out your clams and you if you are not careful. I was unlucky enough to get the snails from a fellow reefer. I never knew how many were on my Gigas until I pulled him out for routine service. Sorry the pictures are some what out of focus, I needed to hurry and didn't have time to set up my tri. This clam weight about 10 lbs without the snails for size comparison.

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/IMG_6396.jpg
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/IMG_6394.jpg
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/IMG_6393.jpg
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/IMG_6391.jpg
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/fishypets/IMG_6392.jpg

[Richard]

Those are great pics of the little &$&$%&%$&. I've seen ALOT less than that kill smaller clams.

[jc]

I've had a few. Every few days I would pull the clams out and pick them off. I would also give them a quick fw bath. After a while they never reappeared.

[safeuerwehr]

Thats some pretty nasty looking pics....reminded me of maggots on a piece of meat......*pulls chum bucket closer to compter*

[GaryP]

There is a very easy solution to controlling pyramid snails as there are with most nuisance predators. For every nuisance critter there is a predator. Remember that our tanks are by definition "unnatural." We do not have the biodiversity in them that a reef does. In other words, there are no checks and balances, and we often are lacking the necessary predators to prevent issues like these. In the case of pyramid snails, there are several wrasse species that will make a good meal of them. My preference is a tail spot wrasse that also just happens to be my flatworm "hit squad."

[jupiterbunny]

So where do you get these guys from? I haven't seen any yet on my Derasa...thank goodness

[GaryP]

They're hitchhikers.

[Alamo]

what do they survive on if you dont have clams?

[SueT]

these pyramids will also get on snails too, that is if their preferable host, the clam is no longer available.

Clint, wow, that is so very sad. I don't think I have ever seen that many pyramids.