Likely vermetid snails.

[Ilija Z]

So I set up a tank a couple weeks ago. I am very new to this and doing a lot of learning and video watching. I used rocks that I picked up from an established tank. I was wondering what the curling shell looking things were on the rocks and figured it wasn't much. Thru my research, they are likely vermetid snails. Not sure how alive they are but I am pretty sure I saw a little hair/tentacle looking thing poke out and move. So my question is, should I tear down and scrap the rocks or just not sweat it and deal with the. Since there is a likely chance they would end up in my tank at some point in the future?

 

[Wasabiroot]

Tidal Gardens just released a comprehensive video on them you should watch.


Physical removal is best - do it now before they get worse. Mechanical seems best- bone cutters or pliers for example. They are resistant to a lot. They aren't serious as pests go but their mucus does irritate stuff and can explode in population quickly since they broadcast spawn.

 

[Ilija Z]

Tidal Gardens just released a comprehensive video on them you should watch.


Physical removal is best - do it now before they get worse. Mechanical seems best- bone cutters or pliers for example. They are resistant to a lot. They aren't serious as pests go but their mucus does irritate stuff and can explode in population quickly since they broadcast spawn.

I am pretty sure that is one of the videos I already watched last night. I'm just wondering since my tank is so new and there is a lot of those shell things that it may be worth just restarting. Other than rocks and sand, all I have in there are 2 clowns and 2 emerald crabs.

 

[bushdoc]

"curling shell looking things"
Could you post a picture?
From your description it might also be spirobid worms, which are harmless filter feeders.

 

[Wasabiroot]

"curling shell looking things"
Could you post a picture?
From your description it might also be spirobid worms, which are harmless filter feeders.

Good point. Vermetids imo look different...larger and darker (usually) with less of a spiral (usually) and a more convoluted growth form. Would be a shame to scrap all that bacterial growth for something harmless.

 

[Ilija Z]

"curling shell looking things"
Could you post a picture?
From your description it might also be spirobid worms, which are harmless filter feeders.

There is a few in this picture. I hope it is visible enough.

 

[Wasabiroot]

Call me crazy, but those look like *dead* vermetids. The tube appears hollow. Can you see an organism at the tip? Like a little head poking out?

 

[Ilija Z]

Call me crazy, but those look like *dead* vermetids. The tube appears hollow. Can you see an organism at the tip? Like a little head poking out?

I'm not exactly sure. I originally thought they were empty but I thought I saw a very tiny hair protrude and pop back when my crab waved it's claw in front of it. This will probably be the best picture I will be able to get.

 

[Wasabiroot]

I'm not exactly sure. I originally thought they were empty but I thought I saw a very tiny hair protrude and pop back when my crab waved it's claw in front of it. This will probably be the best picture I will be able to get.

Yeah, that one looks alive. If you have a pair of bone cutters that works well. They're good to have anyways for frag work. You don't appear to have enough to completely start over but it's your call. If it was me I'd remove what I saw but just monitor. Keep in mind there are probably some in your plumbing too so going scorched earth might be pointless now. Just my 2c. Plus with few corals you can remove the rock and inspect it closely with ease

 

[Ilija Z]

I just use a long poker to touch it and it looks like it moved.

 

[bushdoc]

Those are for sure not spirobid worms.
Yes, they look like vermetids, play safe and exterminate them.

 

[Ilija Z]

Yeah, that one looks alive. If you have a pair of bone cutters that works well. They're good to have anyways for frag work. You don't appear to have enough to completely start over but it's your call. If it was me I'd remove what I saw but just monitor. Keep in mind there are probably some in your plumbing too so going scorched earth might be pointless now. Just my 2c. Plus with few corals you can remove the rock and inspect it closely with ease

If it was just a couple, I wouldn't worry but I could count at least 10 separate shells from one end of the tank without moving my head. Lol.

 

[Ilija Z]

Those are for sure not spirobid worms.
Yes, they look like vermetids, play safe and exterminate them.

I was hoping for a different answer but was expecting this one. Lol

 

[Ilija Z]

So I guess my next question is if I decide to scrap the rocks which is the direction I'm leaning towards. Is the sand and water safe?

 

[Ilija Z]

Does anyone know what juvenile/larvae/baby vermetid snails look like before they start creating their tube? I hope not like this. The little rice looking things but smaller than rice. Ya. I'm pretty paranoid now. Lol

 

[David3147]

there was a thread recently where someone was using Coral Snow (or a homemade version) to resolve these in their tank.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

Does anyone know what juvenile/larvae/baby vermetid snails look like before they start creating their tube? I hope not like this. The little rice looking things but smaller than rice. Ya. I'm pretty paranoid now. Lol

You won't see them.

 

[Ilija Z]

there was a thread recently where someone was using Coral Snow (or a homemade version) to resolve these in their tank.

I will have to really look into that. I will not have any living thing in the tank that I want to keep and if I can save the sand and water, that would be a definite bonus.

 

[Ilija Z]

You won't see them.

I was afraid of that. Any idea what those are in the picture? I would love to know that ther are. They were in the sand only around the little questionable rock and then were gone after a while.

 

[David3147]

I will have to really look into that. I will not have any living thing in the tank that I want to keep and if I can save the sand and water, that would be a definite bonus.

Coral snow can be used in a fully stocked tank. The theory is, it mucks up the snails eating / gill apparatus.
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/vermetid-snail-control.303841/