LR hitch hiker...wonder what it is?

[monalisa]

I just put my live rock in this afternoon. After the lights went off, I waited (patiently) and went to look at what I might have. I found a snail...black with a golden band across the middle of the shell, and what kinda looks like a target of the same color at the back of the shell...good?, bad?...hope it's good!! will my tiny little feather duster be ok? And if so, I'm going to start my tank cycle tomorrow with a shrimp...will my snail be ok?
More stuff would've been nice, but I'll take what I can get.
Thanks for any input!!! Isn't this fun? :cheer:

 

[blemmy_guy]

i think it sounds like a bumble bee snail, which is a good thing, congrats! It may and maynot make ityou will just have to see. goodluck
todd

 

[kcobain111]

i had 3 hermit crabs last a full cycle. And i have a bumble crab. Didn't know there were also buble bee snails unless the crab i have took a dead snails shell

 

[monalisa]

Is there anything I can do to help him? I don't want to make him have to go through the cycle if it's a bad thing for him. Maybe I'll just take him back to the LFS before I start the cycle. So sad...

please advise further if possible...thank you!!

 

[blemmy_guy]

yes in fact i just ordered 2 of them from a different site, they dont carry them here, i think nmreef has 1 or 2 of them, there really cool looking.
todd

 

[blemmy_guy]

Originally posted by MonaLisa
Is there anything I can do to help him? I don't want to make him have to go through the cycle if it's a bad thing for him. Maybe I'll just take him back to the LFS before I start the cycle. So sad...

please advise further if possible...thank you!!
only if you have another already cycled tank to keep it in untill yours is ready?? otherwise cross your fingers.
todd

 

[monalisa]

I think then that I'll just take him back to the LFS. I'm not in this for quantity but quality...still...crap!! The second real life form in my tank (I also have a very tiny featherduster...very active little bugger). I just don't want to take the chance of compromising a beautiful little being like that. Wonder if I'll get a discount next time...
ppptsss...well, maybe..

 

[knots]

Couldn't you just put him in a big bowl with your tank water. Bumble bee's are pretty tough. Just give him something to eat. I don't think I would take him back.

 

[monalisa]

Some hope...do you know what I could feed him? If that's a possibility...it's done...he's really cool looking!!

 

[1journeyman]

He'll eat algae... put a bowl of your tank water in direct sunlight for a couple of days... that should get a good boost of algae for him (just don't put him in the bowl yet, as the water will get too warm I'm sure.)
The pet store might hold him for you, especially if you bought the live rock from them. That would be might first suggestion.

 

[ant]

Hi MonaLisa

I'm so excited for you and the start of your tank. Each stage is fun and putting the LR in was fun for me. I sat and watched it every night. I always found new things on it the longer it cycled.! Cool! Sorry about the little snail. I hope you figure out what to do with him. I'd be anxious to keep him too. Have you thought of maybe going to the LFS and asking for a bag of their water and a little sand from the tank with LR? They just might. Then put that in your bowl at home with the snail. All I got on my LR were bristle worms and I didn't see them until the end of my cycle. Other stuff has grown now. This IS fun! Ant.

 

[hermitkrab]

Well I have a hermit crab in a tupperware bowl because he was killing all of my scarlets in my 40 gallon tank. He has been in there for over week going on two. I just occasionaly giv him a little piece of an algae disc or fish food. I only completely changed the water in the bowl once and every once in a while squirted some tank water in his bowl. Would love to keep him in main tank but he is a evil little devil

. Well I would suggest do what 1journeyman said or like other people said go to LFS and see if they will hold him if your afraid but I put in a monkey shrimp and some turbos in my tank like its 2nd week and they all are still alive to this day and that was back in the early days of December! Good luck!

 

[monalisa]

Well, even the greatest of plans can go awry...
I started my cycle today...put the shrimp in (is 1 shrimp enough for a 37 gallon tank?).
I had fully intended on scooping Speedy (my snail) out before starting and taking him back to the LFS for safe keeping...I called, they said that would be fine...I told them I wasn't going to forget about him...
Do you think I could find that little bugger? I pulled every rock out, looked inside, out, under, over...hmmm. The only thing I can think of is that he burrowed under the sand, in which case I will feel better about his being in there during cycle, at least he's got some cover. So, wish me luck, the waiting begins...oh wait another question, how often should I test the water during cycling? Responses appreciated. Thanks all!! :jumping:

 

[knots]

I don't think bumble bees will dig but I could be wrong. I have had 2 of them for about 6 months and I see one of them about once a month. I finally saw both together today for the firet time since I put them in the tank. Whenever I look for them I can't find either one. So I can tell you they are great at hiding. Keep looking you'll find him. Hate to see you lose him when your tank spikes. Good luck.

 

[kdfrosty]

I recently bought a 10# piece of LR from my LFS. It was loaded with hitchhikers. I got 2 bumblebee snails, a couple of weird clams/mussels, and a bicolor blenny. I could not belive my eyes when I woke up the next day and saw a bicolor blenny perching on his rock. My girlfriend named our new Bicolor Blenny "Goby". I thought that was pretty amusing. We have been contemplating adding a yellow watchman goby in the next month, and naming him "Blenny"....what confusion.

 

[blemmy_guy]

Very lucky KDFrosty!!!! and cool. congrats on that purchase. best i ever got was some kind of weird worm, and some tiny feather dusters that my cbb ate.
todd

 

[monalisa]

Sad news...I think Speedy didn't make it. I started my cycle yesterday and today after work I found him clinging to the front pane of glass on my tank...I feel really bad for the little guy

He hasn't moved at all, and his little antenna is not moving either...
Some advice at this point...should I leave him in as long as I'm cycling the tank anyway? Will that aid in the cycle or hinder it.
Thanks....

 

[monalisa]

Sorry, never mind...he's fine and is as Speedy as ever. I'm glad that he felt comfy enough to snooze out in the open like he did. I feel so much better...geez:joy:

 

[knots]

If it was me I would still take him out before your tank starts goin crazy. IMO he has a better chance in a bowl than in your tank. But I sure could be wrong.:notsure:

 

[hermitkrab]

Like I said I had shrimp in my tank when it cycled and right this very second months later he is cleaning my lr. :joy: Good luck MonaLusa and Speedy.