Good Snail? Bad Snail???

[troutler]

I found this Snail under one of my corals. I also found a soft black goo next to the snail. This goo stained my counter top. Can one of the members please ID and advise. Thanks

[corpusse]

I can't remember what they are called, but they are good. I got some at where's the reef a while back. I hardly ever see them.

[ajx22]

No idea about the 'goo' - but from the pictures - it looks to be some kind of Cowrie snail. Some aren't good to have - so would need much better shots of the shell to try to ID further.

Better safe then sorry - move to sump for now.

[ajx22]

Best ID I can come-up with thus far:


Chestnut Cowrie
(Cypraea spp.)

Quick Stats
Care Level: Easy
Tank Conditions: 72-78°F; sg 1.023-1.025; pH 8.1-8.4; dKH 8-12
Color Form: Brown, Orange, White
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: With Caution
Diet: Omnivore, Herbivore
Origin: Indo-Pacific
Family: Cypraeidae

The Chestnut Cowrie is also referred to as a Porcelain Snail. It is egg-shaped, and most species are glossy, with a smooth surface. The opening in the shell has "teeth," which provides protection from predators. The mantle extends through this opening and completely covers the shell unless the snail feels threatened. C. talpa generally has three light crossbands on a darker shell, and is called the Map Cowry.

The Chestnut Cowrie does well in captivity if provided with ample hiding places and sufficient room. It is a nocturnal creature by nature; during the day it is found under rocks or resting on soft corals, and at night it forages for food. An aquarium with live rock provides a good environment where it can graze on algae and diatoms growing there. Although mainly herbivorous, when it becomes larger, it may try and feed on sponges and soft corals. If there is insufficient algae, its diet should be supplemented with dried seaweed, tablets, and flaked foods that are eaten off of the bottom.

It is extremely difficult to breed in captivity, and has no distinguishing characteristics to help differentiate it from its mate. It is very sensitive to high levels of copper-based medications and is rather intolerant of higher nitrate levels.

Approximate Purchase Size: Small/Medium: 1" to 2-1/2"



http://a1272.g.akamai.net/7/1272/1121/20050204144626/www.liveaquaria.com/images/products/large/p_79518b.jpg


-- Source -- (http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?pCatId=567)

[troutler]

I found this Snail under one of my corals. I also found a soft black goo next to the snail. This goo stained my counter top. Can one of the members please ID and advise. Thanks My Point & Shoot doesn't take very good close ups but this is a shot of the shell.

[ajx22]

I found this Snail under one of my corals. I also found a soft black goo next to the snail. This goo stained my counter top. Can one of the members please ID and advise. Thanks My Point & Shoot doesn't take very good close ups but this is a shot of the shell.
I'll stick with my previous ID (http://www.aquariumpros.ca/forums/showpost.php?p=201847&postcount=4).

:D

[troutler]

After watching this snail I believe AJ identified the snail correctly. It does have a flap of fresh which covers the entire shell when it moves. Thanks to all who helped out and I'll keep a close eye on this guy.

[BrianPlankis]

The Chestnut cowrie was a good attempt, but the closeup picture shows a cowrie that is one of two species:

Cypraea moneta (the money cowrie)

OR

Cypraea annulus (Golden ring cowrie)

More information:
http://www.projectdibs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=554&highlight=cowrie

They are perhaps one of the best grazers for reef tanks, they are from warm water, eat many species of hair algae and don't disturb corals.

The only downside of these two species is that they will eat just about all green veggie material, so they will quickly devour seagrasses.

Brian

[Sea MunnKey]

After watching this snail I believe AJ identified the snail correctly. It does have a flap of fresh which covers the entire shell when it moves. Thanks to all who helped out and I'll keep a close eye on this guy.

I remembered watching a documentary awhile back and they were showing a bunch of this Snails coming ashore to feed on a dead Fish on the beach .... they had their 'side flapped' flesh extended while moving towards their prey...nasty looking if you must know!! :eek2:

Paul

[BrianPlankis]

I remembered watching a documentary awhile back and they were showing a bunch of this Snails coming ashore to feed on a dead Fish on the beach .... they had their 'side flapped' flesh extended while moving towards their prey...nasty looking if you must know!! :eek2:

Paul

Paul,

There are hundreds (thousands? maybe too high) species of cowrie and some of them are indeed predators or carrion feeders, but the money and ring cowries are vegetarians :)

Brian

[danaburns]

Ajx22 - Where did you fid that description for the Chestnut Cowrie? It looks liek a nice site worth visiting