It’s a weird tubular structure on the side, there are two of them on one side (one is larger). It looks like they spit out some sort of web or slime at night. Any ideas??
most likely a vermitid snail
+1, and they are harmless. They send out what looks like a spider web out to catch food. Especially when you stirred up the sand.
Sounds about right, glad to hear that they’re harmless! :
:
Thanks guys!
[quote=“StoneReefer_210, post:4, topic:4760”]
Sounds about right, glad to hear that they’re harmless! ::
Thanks guys![/quote]
stone, listen to a different imho. they are harmless but they are fast and prolific reproducers. scrub and break off any part that you can of vermitid snails from yr clam. maybe that’ll kill them. burp the clam after replacing it in yr dt. my point of view backed up by ian. ask him his opinion of these harmless intruders. plus the spider web effect of 20 of these is amazingly ugly. 20 from the 2 you have now is EASY within a year. sorry, A, but i’ve had them and it’s just nasty. i kill any i see
Please describe the removal process to me. Should I cut it off with bone cutters? I def don’t want these ugly bastards spewing slime webs all over my tank.
Filed the tips off, but there is a deep burrow that’s like a half inch long stoney maze. Did we take care of them just filing off the tips, or are they residing down inside these burrows?
i used my fingers or a hemostat. ive also hit them with firm things when they’re on the overflow or a rock. they are difficult to eliminate once they get a foothold. but on the clams, it should be pretty easy, since you have only 2. id break the tube as close to the spiral as possible. a strong hemostat can sometimes grab and twist enough to destroy it. nose pliers??? wow, i just thought of that. those should work really well
I guess I never had any problems with them, that’s why I said they were harmless. I do have 1 or 2 in the tank, but never got out of control as you stated Paul. I guess if it was out of control I would say they are pests and get rid of them.
[quote=“reefman66, post:9, topic:4760”]
I guess I never had any problems with them, that’s why I said they were harmless. I do have 1 or 2 in the tank, but never got out of control as you stated Paul. I guess if it was out of control I would say they are pests and get rid of them.[/quote]
+1 i have some, and on a couple clams for over 6months. mine havnt multiplied much, and they seem to serve a purpose putting out their “fishing line” and reeling in particles…
I have one or two in my tank and have never noticed them multiply.
Having maintained TONs of tanks in the past I have to say 90% of the time they are pretty harmless and not too prolific, but I’ve seen them blum something horrible the other 10% of the time. In high nutrient systems, especially those which are well fed and either skimmer less or have a skimmer that isn’t really skimming they tend to do best.
If I pick up a plug or a disc and they are on the side I smash them against the glass. If I happen to be working on a rock and see one easy to break off I will. If I’m cleaning up a coral or frag with bone cutters I may prune off 1-2, but I don’t get obsessive over it. I know many people who have gone to great lengths and likely caused more harm then good trying to completely eradicate them, but I wouldn’t recommend it.
Stick to a regular water change schedule and they won’t be an issue.