Re: fw: Snail id       2/7/14
Hi Bob,  unfortunately I just can't see enough of the shell to be able to offer a solid ID.  Offhand, it looks like an Olivid of some sort, but I'd want to see another couple of photos to rule out a Conid. Also, I didn't see anything regarding size, but if the shell is small it could be a Marginellid (most are <15mm long).  At any rate, I'd love to see any additional photos that come along!  Take care, Lynn 
<I concur and pretty much responded the same. We'll wait to see if there's follow up, better pix. Cheers, BobF>

Re: flatworms <Stomatella)> in reef tank?    8/17/13
Thanks Bob! I'll add them to my CUC and leave them alone  :-)
<Ah, good. Are beneficial. B>

Re: Help in Invert ID     – 11/20/12
I'll try, the little bugger is a bit hard to find,
<Do send along a physical and behavioral description as well please>
 just managed to snap this shot with my phone last night when it was in broad *cough* daylight.
<A small digital camera is much better>
  Will send a better one when I see it again. 
Thanks, Bob.
<Welcome Gabe. B>
Re: Help in Invert ID     11/20/12
Thanks Bob, it looks like a Lithopoma/Astraea species of some sort.  I'll send Gabriel a reply (through WWM) ASAP!
Take care,
-Lynn
<Ahh, thank you Lynn. B>
Help in Invert ID – Turbinid and Possible Whelk – 11/20/12
Hello Awesome WWM Crew!
<Woohoo! Thanks, and hello to you too!>
Can you please help me identify this hitchhiker in my tank,
<It appears to be a harmless Turbinid (family Turbinidae) snail of some sort. Could you tell me where it came from originally?  Also, if you could send along a more detailed photo (or two) and tell me the approximate size that would be most helpful.  Please see the following link for examples of turbinids (each photo is a link to more information and photos): http://www.gastropods.com/Taxon_pages/TN_Family_TURBINIDAE.shtml#TURBINIDAEASTRAEINAE  >
…and is it safe to keep in a reef tank? 
<If it is indeed a Turbinid, then yes, it’ll be fine.  That is, it will consume film algae, diatoms and the like, and will not pose a threat to any corals or other livestock.  All in all, it’ll be a terrific addition to your clean-up crew.  I’m actually more concerned about the snail seen at the bottom of image 4111.  It looks a lot like a whelk, a common hitchhiker on live rock from Florida that preys on other snails and small invert’s.  Do send along a detailed photo or two and I’ll do my best to confirm whether it could be a problem.>
Kinda like its appearance and I'm thinking of keeping it :)
<Yep, it’s a beauty alright!>
Thanks!
<You’re most welcome!  Take care, Lynn Z>
Re: Help in Invert ID     11/21/12
Hey Bob,
<Big G!>
I think I know what snail it is, Lynn gave me an awesome link to help me ID it.. from the looks of it, it's Bellastraea squamifera. Definitely a keeper
:D
Thanks, Bob
Gabe
<Cheers, BobF>
Re: Help in Invert ID – Turbinid and Possible Whelk – 11/21/12
Hello Lynn,
<Hello Gabe!>
Thank you for your reply and that really useful link.. definitely going to my bookmarks :D
<You’re very welcome; I’m glad I was able to help.>
From there, I think it's Bellastraea squamifera, looks exactly like it, a bit different on its shade but the resemblance is uncanny.  It's about a quarter of an inch across & flat when viewed on the sides. Awesome if it is! :D
<Yes indeed! It’s definitely a pretty little snail, but time (and maybe a bit more info) will tell regarding the ID.  Complicating the issue is the fact that your individual is most likely a juvenile and its shell may significantly differ from than of an adult.  We really need to find out where the snail originated in order to have the best chance at a solid ID.  If it arrived on live rock, where was it from?  At any rate, even without that knowledge, I can tell you that your snail does not pose a threat to other livestock so I say enjoy!  For what it’s worth, here’s another potential candidate (Astralium phoebium, aka the Long-spined Star Snail): http://www.gastropods.com/3/Shell_323.shtml >   
I actually bought the snail at the bottom of the picture - four of them, LFS said they're Nassarius.  So far, they've been doing a good job at eating detritus and left over food.  Should I be concerned? 
<Well, if it’s a true Nassarius, no.  Just keep the snails well-fed, since they’re mostly scavengers, and they should do just fine.  The trick is to find out whether they’re really Nassarius spp. snails or something else entirely.   Just out of curiosity, do your snails look like the ones (Ilyanassa obsoleta, aka the Eastern Mud Snail) at the following site? http://z14.invisionfree.com/Conchologist_Forum/ar/t2240.htm?  
If so, do use our Google search engine for more information and/or contact me.   Last but not least, please see the following link for more information regarding Nassarius spp. snails, including how to recognize them by a characteristic groove in their shell (start about half-way down the page): http://web.archive.org/web/20010410073108/http://www.animalnetwork.com/fish/library/articleview2.asp?Section=&RecordNo=166 >
I'm planning to buy some more CUC inverts and I definitely don't want them eating those O.O
<No, indeed!> 
Thanks!
<You’re most welcome!>
Gabe M
<Take care, Lynn Z>
Re: Help in Invert ID – Turbinid and Possible Whelk – 11/22/12
Howdy Lynn,
<Howdy Gabe>
I'm afraid there's no way to really know where the rock came from.. But I'm in the tropics so the Liverock would also be from the surrounding regions, if that's any help at all.
<No worries, suffice it to say that it’s a beautiful little snail and harmless to boot!>
For the other snail, it doesn't look like any of those Ilyanassa obsoleta ones. 
<Good, those are a cooler-water species that have been sold online and in some of the LFS in the US as a Nassarius spp. (but they're not!), so I thought I’d cover that base just to be sure.  If you’re outside of the US in the tropics, then chances are good that your LFS won’t be offering those snails.>
Although, it doesn't look quite exactly like the Nassarius spp snail either.  I'll check later if they have that groove in their shells. 
<Sounds good.  Do let me/us know if you need any more assistance with the ID.>
So far they have been laying eggs like crazy in the tank (same in appearance with the Nassarius eggs when I searched).
<Gotcha>
And I read somewhere, and I don't know how true, that snails laying eggs are indications that they are eating well? 
<That’s what I’ve heard/read as well.>
I did notice a hitchhiking brittle star with missing legs though, and another hitchhiking clam that mysteriously got emptied out. 
<It happens.  Hitchhikers can really get banged up and exposed to all sorts of stresses during collection, transit, and curing.  Regarding the clam, sometimes they just don’t have enough food, especially in a new tank, to sustain them so they die and the scavengers feast. >
They should not suppose to eat anything still alive right?
<Well, Nassarius spp., snails are scavengers that are attracted to dead and/or damaged/dying tissue so healthy animals are safe while wounded individuals may well be targeted (especially if there’s not enough available food otherwise).>
I mean, I've seen them "walking" over the YW goby
<Do I ever love those comical little fishes!>
..and they literally smother him all over, tumbling the goby sideways, turning him upside down.. in other words, really inappropriate ways :D .  The goby doesn't mind them at all, just lets them do as they please with him. 
<Heheeee! That is one tolerant little goby!>
If they ate the clam/star, I would think they would do the same with the goby seeing that the fish isn't making any effort to escape their slimy molestations :D
<Heeee, yes indeed!  Any opportunistic predator worth its salt would never turn down a meal that just sits there and allows itself to be mobbed!  Obviously the goby doesn’t perceive the snails as any sort of threat.  I would just keep an eye on the situation, keep the snails well-fed, and only remove if/when necessary.>
Thanks,
<It was my pleasure, Gabe.  Again, if there’s anything else we can do for you, just let us know.>
Gabe M
<Take care, Lynn Z>