The Evil secret of Bumble Bee "Snails"

[stdreb27]

Just so you know, Bumble Bee "Snails" are really welks, and not herbavores. They'll eat your snails, and just about anything else it can get its foot on. Like softies.
So when you see them sold as a bundle in a clean up crew, they are just in there, so the retailer will get repeat business when the bumble bee eats the rest of your cleanup crew.

 

[bang guy]

There are several species of snail commonly called "Bumble Bee Snails. Some are omnivores, some are detrivores and at least two species are herbivores and at least one is pure predator.
"Whelk" also includes Nassarius vibex which is a strict carrion eater.

 

[spiderwoman]

I have 2 Bumble Bee's in the 75g tank and I've never seen them after other snails or corals. They stay only on the rock work and sometimes slowly move on the substrate.

 

[keebler]

Thanks for the info. I had a problem like that way back when. One of the many horrible lfs in my area sold small conches as snails. It's like paying someone to ruin your stuff.

 

[vinnyraptor]

thanks for the info...
Originally Posted by stdreb27
http:///forum/post/2765210
Just so you know, Bumble Bee "Snails" are really welks, and not herbavores. They'll eat your snails, and just about anything else it can get its foot on. Like softies.
So when you see them sold as a bundle in a clean up crew, they are just in there, so the retailer will get repeat business when the bumble bee eats the rest of your cleanup crew.

 

[mch2o]

Waht will conches do to your reef tank ?

 

[mch2o]

Also what is the best reef safe cleaning crew to have then guys. I am about to but !50 lb of fully cured tonga, marshall island, and prem. fiji in my custom built 110 tall. And after that i plan to put my clean up crew in there frist.

 

[kazara]

I have a fighting Conch in my tank and never had a problem with him. Has other people had problems with conchs?

 

[bang guy]

Originally Posted by kazara
http:///forum/post/2766432
I have a fighting Conch in my tank and never had a problem with him. Has other people had problems with conchs?

I had a Horse Conch Hitchhiker. It didn't do too much damage but it was still a baby.
Fighting Conch are excellent algae/detritus snails. The only problem I could see with those would be starvation if the sand bed was too small.

 

[kazara]

Originally Posted by Bang Guy
http:///forum/post/2766482
I had a Horse Conch Hitchhiker. It didn't do too much damage but it was still a baby.
Fighting Conch are excellent algae/detritus snails. The only problem I could see with those would be starvation if the sand bed was too small.
I had if for over 2 years and just switch my CC to sand. I hope this will be better for him. thanks for advice