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RE: Mini Abalones?

mtfallstodd — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 14:36:51 GMT

Found similar things in my reef after introducing some corals.Are about as big as 50 cent pieces and have wholes in there shells with mantles sticking throught them. Seem to be great algae eaters and haven't hurt anything. I'll try to post a picture.

RE: Mini Abalones?

stewwey — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 20:10:52 GMT

Yes they are and I've never seen snails move this fast. I checked the water today and 1.024SG, 78.5 Degrees, 8.2PH, zero nitrates, zero nitrites, and zero Amonia. And everyone seems to be partying. Thanks again.

RE: Mini Abalones?

Hailey — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 05:24:36 GMT

Pretty crazy to watch isn't it?

RE: Mini Abalones?

stewwey — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 00:14:31 GMT

Yes, and last night there were five at the highest point just releasing billows of clouds.

Now I know... Thanks again

RE: Mini Abalones?

Hailey — Wed, 28 May 2008 19:05:25 GMT

I found a bunch in my tank and they are breeding like rabbits. I just worry about water quality after their spawning events...they really do blow a lot of gametes into the water. On the upside, I think they helped end my cyanobacteria problem because they started showing up in numbers right around when the cyano started disappearing.

RE: Mini Abalones?

Nep2Ns PlumR — Wed, 28 May 2008 18:12:25 GMT

Great hitch hikers. Consider yourself on the bonus plan.

RE: Mini Abalones?

stewwey — Wed, 28 May 2008 14:15:48 GMT

That exactly what they are and thanks.

RE: Mini Abalones?

Hailey — Wed, 28 May 2008 07:10:34 GMT

Is this it?

That is a snail from the genus Stomatella. They are very reef-safe and eat diatoms, soft green algaes, and sometimes even cyano. They also reproduce readily and if you have more than one in the tank you will see mass spawning events in which the males all release a cloud of sperm and the females release eggs that look like tiny white dots. You just want to watch the water quality for a few days if that happens, but it should be safe, and the new infusion of plankton will help feed any corals you have.

Mini Abalones?

stewwey — Wed, 28 May 2008 03:29:21 GMT

I'm not sure if I'm doing this right, so please excuse the lameness, but for the last 6 months after the lights go out in the tank, I randomly spot check for the creatures and I see these mini abalones. They look like the huge ones you find on the California coast except that they are, at most a 1/2 inch long. The colors are the same and the shell is exactly like the big guys and they cruise the rocks quickly, but ??