Breeding Journal, Snail Species: Columbellid euplica

Given its aliases as “Hawaiian Strombus” and “Strombus maculatus,” the Collumbellid euplica snail may not have its nomenclature, especially to the species level, all settled. But that doesn’t change how awesome of a snail it is. As shown below, they reproduce faster than rabbits (or for that matter, faster than my Stomatella hitchhiker snails!) They stay small, graze over rocks, and fit into the smallest nooks and crannies. As the algal population waxes and wanes, so, too, does their population for a harmonized tank. Back when Collumbellid snails were covering my tank, I decided to join the Marine Breeding Initiative. This was my journal entry documenting the breeding. Some of it may be a bit repetitive, but it was required for the breeding documentation.

General Information:

Broodstock Tank Details:

Size of Tank: 40g
Substrate Details: Bare bottom
Filtration Details: Live Rock, Skimmer, Carbon/GFO Reactor
Water Changes: 10% Weekly
Water Temperature: 76 degrees
Lighting: 6 x 39W T-5
Lighting Cycle: 8 hours on
Other Tank Inhabitants: Blue legged crabs, nerites, corals

Broodstock Tank Feeding Details:

Food Types: Formula Two Pellets and DIY Frozen Blended Seafood
Feeding Schedule: 2x/week

Spawning Details:

Hatch Details:

Larval Tank Details:

Temperature: 76
Size of Larval Tank: 40g
Substrate Details: Bare Bottom
Other Tank Decor: Live Rock
Filtration Details: Live Rock, Skimmer, GFO/Carbon Media Reactor
Lighting: 6 x 39W T-5
Lighting Cycle: 8 on
Water Changes: 10% weekly

Larval Tank Feeding Details:

Food Types: Algae
Feeding Schedule: Constant

Metamorphosis/Settlement:

Date of Settlement Start: N/A
Days after Hatch: N/A
Date of Settlement End: N/A
Description of Fry: Appear as small adults

Grow-Out Tank Details:

Temperature: 76
Size of Grow-Out Tank: 40g
Substrate Details: Bare Bottom
Other Tank Decor: Live Rock
Filtration Details: Live Rock, Skimmer, GFO/Carbon Media Reactor
Lighting: 6 x 39W T-5
Lighting Cycle: 8 hr on
Water Changes: 10% weekly
Size at Transfer: N/A
Age at Transfer: N/A

Grow-Out Feeding Details:

Food Types: Algae
Feeding Schedule: Constant

Additional Information:

Update 14 June 2012:  I’ve found that these snails are able to make some sort of mucus thread that they are able to slide down in order to drop themselves lower in the tank.  I also got to watch a snail glide across the top of the water surface, make a thread (only held by the surface tension), and then drop down to the bottom of the tank.  It’s quite fascinating to watch!

Great Reference Info (with photos):  http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2009/11/aafeature