Vermatid snail? (1 Viewer)

[DAreefer]

Hi,

can someone please help identify whether or not it’s a vermatid snail growing on my octospawn?

 

[sneezebeetle]

That is what it looks to me to be. It looks small enough that you could probably pop if off, you can also put a small dab of super glue over the opening and starve it.

 

[DAreefer]

Just clipped it off. Thanks for confirming!!

 

[Reefahholic]

Just clipped it off. Thanks for confirming!!

Just clipping them off may help the coral, but man are these impossible to get rid of.

 

[sneezebeetle]

I read that Bumblebee snails will go after them on several online reports and articles, so I have always kept a couple dozen in my tanks and I have never had a problem with vermatid snails.

 

[DAreefer]

That’s what i’m thinking. Going to bring some home and hope they will go after the rest. There isn’t anymore of the vermatid that’s visible. But can’t say for sure there isn’t any in hiding.

 

[Reefahholic]

I read that Bumblebee snails will go after them on several online reports and articles, so I have always kept a couple dozen in my tanks and I have never had a problem with vermatid snails.

I’ve head that too. Definitely won’t hurt the tank. It’s hit and miss. Some claim total victory and others say they didn’t do anything. Have you ever observed one eating a Vermetid? In severe cases is basically impossible to get them all, because they remain in the overflow box, plumbing, inside skimmer body, inside pump housings, inbetween and under rocks. Even if you kill them all you are left with hundreds of tubes everywhere.

I’m still waiting on the magic pill for these guys. I’ve heard KZ Soral Snow works. It logically makes sense when you read what it does and know how Vermetid’s feed.

 

[DAreefer]

I have a Fluval Evo tank and so far, i haven’n seen any more signs of the vertmatid snails (knock on wood). My hope is that was the mother colony that i took out. Will continue to monitor.

 

[Reefahholic]

I have a Fluval Evo tank and so far, i haven’n seen any more signs of the vertmatid snails (knock on wood). My hope is that was the mother colony that i took out. Will continue to monitor.

If your nutrients increase they will usually pop up in heavy numbers. I have heard that after a few years several reefers reported they just went away one day. It’s hard to believe, but I think they get starved out or something is dosed that kills them. I wish I could figure out that magic bullet. I’ve heard Lanthanum Chloride kills Flatworms. I wonder if it would have an affect on Vermetid’s.?

 

[DAreefer]

Thanks for the info. I’ve been watching a ton of videos about it, and looks like the best way to get rid of them is manually remove the mother colony.

 

[Reefahholic]

Thanks for the info. I’ve been watching a ton of videos about it, and looks like the best way to get rid of them is manually remove the mother colony.

There are several different species found all over the world. The video you’re referring to was put out by Gallery Aquatica I believe. I would bank on that claim they made. They addressed it as if there’s only one species. I was looking at one study that was saying there were 160 species. Then another that claimed much more. I forgot the number they gave, but I’m sure I can find it.

Interestingly one study stated that from one mother of their particular species being studied...up to 58 babies could potentially hatch and crawl away. I always assumed they were water born free floaters/swimmers since they basically end up everywhere!! I’m gonna have to see if other studies support this claim.

Here’s that study if you would like to read it:

Reproduction of the vermetid gastropod Dendropoma maximum (Sowerby, 1825) in Moorea, French Polynesia

Abstract. Vermetidae are sessile molluscs with tubular shells cemented to the substrate. Although they are common inhabitants of coral reefs and rocky shores, l

academic.oup.com

 

[DAreefer]

Great read! Thanks once again!!