Need Grazer opinions...

[MadMorf]

I'm about to order another Mix-N-Match from IPSF and I'm looking for opinions on Nerite Snails...
The Strombus and Trochus have been fantastic, but the Nerites seem to be under-achievers...

I've read many positive recommendations of Nerites, but my experience with them has been mixed. All of my previous order or Nerites survived the trip and acclimatized OK, but almost always were found at or above the waterline...Now, nearly 8 months later, I've only got one left, the others have become homes for Micro-hermits (I call them "The Thugs")...

So, I'm debating getting more of them...

Anyone one had any better luck with them?

Chuck

 

[2poor2reef]

I would take trochus and ceriths over nerites any day. I have some also and they actually spend most of their time in the water, but I prefer cerith for a small snail.

 

[SteveP]

I'd pass on the nerites too. They are very slow moving when they move at all. Most of mine can be find half buried in the gravel against the glass or hitching a ride on either my ceriths or each other. Yes, they do graze, but ceriths or trochuses are a better purchase, IMO.

Steve
8{I

 

[ink]

I haven't had any good experiences with Nerites as well. I usually found them on the outside of my tank somewhere...like on the carpet.

ink

 

[fishfarmer]

I think I may have one nerite left from my order last year. I still have most of my trochus, one has recently perished. I had great success with the strombus snails, very prolific, but recently they seem to be dropping off slightly. The hawaiian turbos are doing well and breeding. I would pass on the nerites if I had to order again.

 

[BReefCase]

I may be the lone dissenter on the board, but I think there is a place for the Nerites in the reef tank if your conditions are right for them.

If you are talking about the really jet-black ones from IPSF, I have had them for years and I like them very much. I have every kind of snail and Strombus I can get locally and thru MO (except Astreas), wish that I could find even more new kinds, and believe the more different types in the tank, the better.

Besides, Nerites have a distinct personality (if snails can be said to have personalities, that is) and are just plain cool to watch. They work different areas of the tank, prefer to eat different foods, and are active at different hours of the day from other snails, which is why a wide mix of grazer types is so nice.

I will concede that I have relatively cool tanks (78F max)and use partial glass covers, which may explain why the Nerites stay down in my tanks and have never tried to climb out over the rims.

If your tank tops 80F in temperature, however, you should probably pass on the Nerites. They don't like very warm water, and will climb out if things get too hot for them.

[ August 24, 2001: Message edited by: BReefCase ]

 

[MadMorf]

Thanks for the responses!

BReefCase, you may have hit upon my Nerite's problem...My tank usually runs 80-82...Maybe it was just too hot for them...
Everyone else in the tank seems to like it just fine so I'll choose not to torture any more poor Nerites in my quest for a spotless tank!

Thanks again!
Chuck