Murex snail

[RobTop]

I picked up one of these snails a few months back as I was told they are great alge eaters. I belive in haveing a devers tank and felt that adding one of these would be fine. Well my astera and turbo snails started turning up dead, In discussing this with another store owner we talked about temp, perfectly maintaned at 77. Then salinity and I top off 3 times a day to prevent the slightest swings, finally he asked me about hermit crabs and I had a large population. He felt that was the problem so I moved all but a few to the sump and got some more astera snails. Well those sanils are now depleating in number. I felt a little lost, but think I have figured it out. The murex snail. A few days ago it looked like an astera snail was hitching a ride on the murex snail. They where in one spot for some time, several hours. Now that shell sits empty in the sport they where at. So I am concluding that the murex snail is eatting the other snails. Does this sound right? I haven't heard of snails eatting other snails, but this seems to be the case. Anyone have thoughts on this?

 

[scooterr]

yes this is correct, murex are evil!
I had a lot in my 150 and they were fine till I ordered a clean up crew 2 weeks ago. So far I've takin out over 10 of um. I wonder if they were reproducing or just had lots of em to begin with.
jeff

 

[davelin315]

Did you get them from Coral Reef in Norridge? I've seen them there for the past few months and have been avoiding getting one until I learned about their habits and diet, but have not bothered to find out yet. If you're in the area, do you want to trade some stuff?

 

[RobTop]

It came from Beyond the Reef. I would love to trade stuff. I currently have several shrooms avalible, a few finger leathers, colts and a nice purple gorgainian. Pardon the spelling.