Got home and found my Nassarius Snails on top of my empty conch shell :(

Mike01z · 04-28-2006, 11:59 AM

He was doing really good even the night before, went to work came home and his shell is cleaned out. Is it possible that some of the Hermits or maybe even the angel took him out?

I noticed the night before that for the 1st time he finally was hanging out by the Angels cave. Maybe the Angel killed it for some meaty food? It had only been eating Sea Weed.

tims · 04-28-2006, 08:02 PM

most likly so. what type of angel is it?

Casey · 04-28-2006, 08:03 PM

Angel sure could have.

Loverotties · 04-28-2006, 08:23 PM

It could of!

Doug1 · 04-28-2006, 10:10 PM

again depending on the angel?

Mike01z · 04-28-2006, 10:20 PM

Singapore Angel, I'm thinking the seaweed got old and it was time for some meat lol. Whats weird is this Angel doesn't even like live brine that much, loves purple seaweed and thats it. Unless it took out the conch then I guess it likes those also.

Sucks cause I liked the conch.

Doug1 · 04-28-2006, 10:23 PM

How long had you had the conch, how big, acclimation, etc?

Geoff · 04-29-2006, 06:59 AM

are we talking the Genicanthus melanospilos? i really do not think it could be this guy. their mouth parts are more suitable for feeding on plankton.

i would put the blame on the nassarius first. if the conch was a little unhealthy than the nassarius would pounce and finish it off. Nassarius are predatory/scavanger snails. i do not trust them.

G~

Mike01z · 04-29-2006, 07:35 AM

The conch was about 3 inches long total, The shell was strawberry in color, the LFS actually called him a strawberry conch although I had not heard the term before. Only thing I am pretty sure of is that it wasn't a queen.

The Angelfish is of type Chaetodontoplus mesoleucus

I thought that nassarius were only scavengers I did not think they hunted for food, the conch was doing really well from what I could tell, Would move around the tank eating algae and what not off the sand, dig himself in etc. Then bam after work he is dead. Last night I could not find my peppermint shrimp either. hmmmm whats going on here.

Cuda · 04-29-2006, 09:24 AM

Did you get any new rock in the last three months or so? I've had preditory crabs show up 3-5 months after adding rock. Those sneeky B#&**%ds can hide for a long time before you ever spot them.

Sorry for the lost of your conch and possibly the shrimp.

Mike01z · 04-29-2006, 10:40 AM

actually yes it is new live rock but it came from an LFS in one of there fish tanks, man that would suck if I got a crab that I can't see.

Geoff · 04-29-2006, 07:59 PM

i looked up the Vermiculated Angel (their more common, common name

). they tend to eat sedentary things. sponges and alge. i would not think that it would have gone after your conch. now i can easily believe a hitchhiker crab though. might want to start the night watching sessions.

G~

Mike01z · 04-29-2006, 09:31 PM

I found my shrimp, I was cleaning out my sump and when i took out the sponge the filters the water is it falls into the sump I saw the shrimp in my tray, I figured he just got sucked in and died there but when I went to grab him he jumped up, I dumped him back in the aquarium and he is swimming around and hanging from the rocks swaying back and forth,, who knows maybe he will live?

hitchhiker crab thats gonna suck, from all I have read hear everybody has a hard time even seeing them much less getting them out.

Cuda · 04-29-2006, 10:21 PM

I'm glad you found the shrimp and hope he survives the excitement. As Geoff says, you may want to do some evening watching with a red lens about an hour after the light goes out. You can even put some bait on the bottom after most of the fish have gone to sleep and see if you can lure him out, (if he even exists). There may be other possibilities, so you can't rule them out. Good luck.

Mike01z · 04-30-2006, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cuda

I'm glad you found the shrimp and hope he survives the excitement. As Geoff says, you may want to do some evening watching with a red lens about an hour after the light goes out. You can even put some bait on the bottom after most of the fish have gone to sleep and see if you can lure him out, (if he even exists). There may be other possibilities, so you can't rule them out. Good luck.

Good tips, I'll be keeping my eye out for him.