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Tiny Grazer - Collonista sp.


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Another recent posting in our forum prompted me to start an article on the wonderful helpers in my tank.

Most reefers will think on Astrea, Turbo, Tronchus snails they need some reef-safe algae grazers for their tank. However I would like to take this opportunity to share about the collonista snails.

Classification: Biota > Animalia (Kingdom) > Mollusca (Phylum) > Gastropoda (Class) > Vetigastropoda (Subclass) > Phasianelloidea (Superfamily) > Colloniidae (Family) > Colloniinae (Subfamily)

Species:

Collonista are sometimes called "mini-Turbo snails" this is because they resemble the smaller form of the common Turbo snails.They reach a maximum adult size of about 6 mm in height and diameter but many stays smaller than 3mm even as adult. They are often tan to white and have mottled brown color patterns on the shell. They can be distinguished from all other Trochoideans by their small size and the presence of a small pit or hole in the center of the calcareous operculum that plugs the aperture. They reproduce well in aquaria, and are quite good grazers. If present in large numbers, they may effectively replace all other grazers in our systems.

I have never seen these snails sold in LFS but commonly hitchhike on quality live rocks. According to WoRMS, C. arsinoensis are found in found in the Red Sea but nothing was mentioned about the other 2 species.

I am not sure where my collonista are from and neither am I able to positively ID them. As such I shall use their Genus name herewith.

My first encounter with collonista was 2 years ago when I visited a reefer with a very successful nano reef tank. Due to his tank size, he did not keep the usual snails that we commonly kept. However, his tank was kept algae free with the help on these snails. It took me a lot of persuasions before he is willing to part with a few of his precious gems.

post-2241-0-34424000-1350223377_thumb.jp

Herewith is a photo by Marc Levenson showing the Collonista right below its larger cousin

post-2241-0-84780000-1350223640.jpg

Another photo of Collonista by Renee Coles-Hix

Collonista feeds on algae films and diatoms. And are considered reef safe by many reefers, I too have never witness them feeding on any corals in my tank or have they disturbed my clams. Although some will be active during the day, most will comes out at night and actively graze on rocks and glass. I have also seen them feeding on detritus caught on the grating of my wave-makers.

Collonista will readily breed in captive aquaria once the conditions is right for them. I have never tried to determine their gender but I have seen to snails coming together in a "compromising" position. ;) They will reproduce to a reasonable size in due time. However, I feel that they are limited by food and therefore will not reach plague proportion (At least it has not happened to me of any literature I have researched so far).

I am happy with these snails and does not intend to add any other species of snails in my tank for the time being. I truly hope that these tiny, hard working and reef safe snails will be appreciated just like their larger cousins.

Happy Reefing,

Joseph Tan

Marine Aquarist Society (Singapore)

UEN: T08SS0098F

Facebook Group: http://www.facebook....gid=34281892381

Source:

http://www.marinespecies.org/index.php

http://www.gastropods.com/

http://www.melevsreef.com/

http://www.aquaticco.../Collonista.php

http://reefkeeping.c...05/rs/index.php

http://www.seahorse..../cucbasic.shtml

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"Reefs, like forests, will only be protected in long term if they are appreciated"
Dr. J.E.N. Veron
Australian Institute of Marine Science


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i have 1 piece of it.. came as a hitchiker

Teh'sTankSetup Decomm on 18/8/2012

Tank: 2x1x1 Rimless Tank (Sumpless)

Lighting: Aquazonic 2x24watts T5 (Actinic x Sun White)

Moonlight: Acardia 1W Led Light (Blue)

Filter: ISTA Max Care Cannister

Skimmer: Bubble Magus E3

Chiller: Resun CL450 (Aquazonic Evo Pump)

Wave: Boyu WM-25

Commissioned 20/9/2012

Tank: 3x2x2.5

Lighting: 250w DeLighting MH/ 2x 39w Delighting Diy T5 ATI Blue Plus

Skimmer: H&S Skimmer Type 110-F2000

Chiller: CL450 (Aquazonic Evo Pump)

Return Pump: Eheim 1260

Reactor: D&D H2Ocean FMR 75 (ADA 1500 Pump)(Rowaphos)

Wavemaker: 2x SunSun Wavemaker (3000L)

Incoming:

Conch ll Basic

ATO System/Tunze Osmolator

Magic Marine 3CH Dosing Pump

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i have 1 piece of it.. came as a hitchiker

Hope you like them as I have. ;)

"Reefs, like forests, will only be protected in long term if they are appreciated"
Dr. J.E.N. Veron
Australian Institute of Marine Science


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This thread reminded me about periwinkle snails that I read about in a book. They are colourful and also serve the same purpose too.

I wonder if periwinkle snails can be found in LFS here.

Sometimes the good guys gotta do bad things to make the bad guys pay. - Harvey Specter

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Hope you like them as I have. ;)

Its hard to like them.... Tank is quite big with many rock scape and that dude is so is tiny.. can only see it like maybe once a month..

Teh'sTankSetup Decomm on 18/8/2012

Tank: 2x1x1 Rimless Tank (Sumpless)

Lighting: Aquazonic 2x24watts T5 (Actinic x Sun White)

Moonlight: Acardia 1W Led Light (Blue)

Filter: ISTA Max Care Cannister

Skimmer: Bubble Magus E3

Chiller: Resun CL450 (Aquazonic Evo Pump)

Wave: Boyu WM-25

Commissioned 20/9/2012

Tank: 3x2x2.5

Lighting: 250w DeLighting MH/ 2x 39w Delighting Diy T5 ATI Blue Plus

Skimmer: H&S Skimmer Type 110-F2000

Chiller: CL450 (Aquazonic Evo Pump)

Return Pump: Eheim 1260

Reactor: D&D H2Ocean FMR 75 (ADA 1500 Pump)(Rowaphos)

Wavemaker: 2x SunSun Wavemaker (3000L)

Incoming:

Conch ll Basic

ATO System/Tunze Osmolator

Magic Marine 3CH Dosing Pump

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seems like it

Teh'sTankSetup Decomm on 18/8/2012

Tank: 2x1x1 Rimless Tank (Sumpless)

Lighting: Aquazonic 2x24watts T5 (Actinic x Sun White)

Moonlight: Acardia 1W Led Light (Blue)

Filter: ISTA Max Care Cannister

Skimmer: Bubble Magus E3

Chiller: Resun CL450 (Aquazonic Evo Pump)

Wave: Boyu WM-25

Commissioned 20/9/2012

Tank: 3x2x2.5

Lighting: 250w DeLighting MH/ 2x 39w Delighting Diy T5 ATI Blue Plus

Skimmer: H&S Skimmer Type 110-F2000

Chiller: CL450 (Aquazonic Evo Pump)

Return Pump: Eheim 1260

Reactor: D&D H2Ocean FMR 75 (ADA 1500 Pump)(Rowaphos)

Wavemaker: 2x SunSun Wavemaker (3000L)

Incoming:

Conch ll Basic

ATO System/Tunze Osmolator

Magic Marine 3CH Dosing Pump

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are these the thousands mini snails we have in our aquarium?

xemoew.jpg

Yup. Care to share your thoughts?

"Reefs, like forests, will only be protected in long term if they are appreciated"
Dr. J.E.N. Veron
Australian Institute of Marine Science


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Member of:

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Facebook Group: http://www.facebook....gid=34281892381

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Good read bro. Will be keeping a lookout for these snails next time at any LFS.

LFS don't sell, just ask around sure got reefers willing to pass you some.

"Reefs, like forests, will only be protected in long term if they are appreciated"
Dr. J.E.N. Veron
Australian Institute of Marine Science


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Member of:

post-1182-0-60431600-1322062247_thumb.jp

post-2241-0-43391700-1354511230.png

UEN: T08SS0098F
Please visit us here: http://www.facebook....uaristSocietySG
Facebook Group: http://www.facebook....gid=34281892381

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