Bumble Bee snails (Engina mendicaria) (Pusiostoma mendicaria)

[mikesommers]

I have found myself suddenly questioning these snails. I don't have many in my tank. I also only keep some paly's in there for my clowns. My wife on the other hand has a little 6 gallon that she is working on a zoa collection in. I have had some issues with these snails parking in the colonys. Its early to say are they eating them or not, but have had some issues with zoas being irritated. I have checked for all the usual irritants (nudi's, sundials and such) with no luck there. I cant find much online that pertains to direct experience with these little guys eating zoas. I did find

 

[shrimpy brains]

Not sure about zoas, but I have read often that they are whelks(sp?) and will eat other snails.

 

[mikesommers]

Shrimpy Brains;556232 wrote: Not sure about zoas, but I have read often that they are whelks(sp?) and will eat other snails.

Yea I have read this as well. I just spent about 15 min watching them around a colony. Lights are still out so I was using an LED flash light. They were crawling between them and overtop of them. I see no physical damage to the tissue (at least with my eyes) and also would say that they are eating detritus that has settled. You could see a before and after to confirm this. I would not think that this could harm the polyps but could be wrong. I have always had a hard time with zoas. So this has became a challenge to me and want to overcome it. Just trying to learn.

 

[johnr2604]

Yes, bumble bee snails are carnivorous and have been known to eat other snails (no different than a hermit) I have never heard of them eating corals though. Other than that they are pretty efficient CUC and also eat ditritus and sand dwelling worms.

 

[mikesommers]

johnr2604;556244 wrote: Yes, bumble bee snails are carnivorous and have been known to eat other snails (no different than a hermit) I have never heard of them eating corals though. Other than that they are pretty efficient CUC and also eat ditritus and sand dwelling worms.

I didnt think so but asking never hurts when you have mysterious issues come up with no answer. things all appear to be getting better on there own. The sick colonies look better today then they have in a week. Maybe just the water change has helped.:up:

Thanks for the info!!

 

[schwaggs]

I never had a problem with them eating anything they were not supposed to. I just have a problem with them living very long. Most of them perish fairly quickly compaired to other snails IME.

 

[corigan]

I have some bumblebee snails that are over 3 years old, they seem to last for me. Maybe I just got lucky.. I have never seen them eat zoas, but I am have seen them camp out in the middle of em during the day when they sleep.

 

[rbredding]

I've got about 15 of them between the 30L and the 90Reef...

I have zoas in the 90 and the BBsnails haven't touched them yet.. (despite there being some very small zoa polyps well within their reach)

I think you're fine...

 

[mikesommers]

Schwaggs;556289 wrote: I never had a problem with them eating anything they were not supposed to. I just have a problem with them living very long. Most of them perish fairly quickly compaired to other snails IME.

I have oh about 10 from my fish only system that kept NO3 of about 40 for a year and a half. Now there in the reef tank along with others that I have bought. They are very hardy IME. Just wondered due to the (camping out) a lot in the zoas.

 

[misu]

I have one and he seems to be well behaved, don't ask Tim about them...