"Margarita Snails"

[sunnysmom]

Many months back I was called irresponsible for having "margarita" snails in my tank. (Rather rudely, I might add -- no other information was given except the putdown.)

I just thought I'd come back around and show this:

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a312/GeekGirl1970/babymargarite.jpg

This is, yes, a baby "margarita" snail. Of the original 10 or so adults, I have lost a few to mystery death and the random evisceration by hermit. But they are so happy, they have bred. And with no snail predators to speak of, at least a dozen are this size or larger, moving and active.

My tank is 20gal, well maintained, lightly stocked, too much hair algae. :lol: and cooler than most reef tanks. It rarely gets much above 79 degrees, and the heater only comes on if the temp drops below 70. I have always let the temp adjust up and down naturally, with the heater to keep it from getting too low.

So... something is going right, since I have been told they would die because of temperature, or other reasons. They are active, and I have a whole lot of 'em. :eek2: :p

Now if they would just grow up enough to gobble up my hair algae! :lol:

[greenbean36191]

I don't mean to be a downer, but that's not a margarita snail.

[sunnysmom]

... what kind is it? because it looks exactly like the big ones, minus the coralline. Same whorls, same striations, same mouth and foot, same tiny antennae. They eat algae... Color may be a bit off in the pic.

[sunnysmom]

and see, that's exactly what I mean. Slam, no info, just the slam.

[greenbean36191]

From that angle I can't tell what it is, but it's not Margarites or Tegula which are the "margarita snails" you normally see in the hobby. You may have been sold some other snail as margaritas, and these may actually be their young, but they aren't the coldwater snails that are normally sold as margaritas in the hobby.

[tperkins]

My margaritas have a blackish colored shell (same size and shape). But you have a nice looking snail. And if they are reproducing for you, you are doing ok then. Best of luck! :)

[sunnysmom]

So what is the "margarita" snail on Melev's ID page, because that is what I have. Mine would be "Neritidae nerita funiculata"

I notice when I google margarita snail, I get at least 3 different and distinct species the most hits belonging to my snail type. So in that case, #1: I'm glad I have a warmer water snail that is happy in my tanks, and #2: That would be a critical piece of information to gather before attacking someone for putting "margarita" snails in their tanks.

[sunnysmom]

I'll take an adult and juvi out tomorrow and see if I can get better pics. I really want to know what I have! Ha!:lol:

[chem-e]

The picture you took doesn't look like that margarita snails that I'm thinking of. I have a couple of these snails (http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?pCatId=569) in my tank.

My snails are grey and somewhat "shiny".

No slammin intended. :)

[sunnysmom]

Mine is definitely not shiny. It's kind of pinkish brown and bumpy, with darker spots and definite whorls.

They look most like this one:

Melev's ID page (http://www.melevsreef.com/id/kritter2.html) 5th one in on the top row. And are more or less covered in coralline.

Okay, this is a really poor pic for color/clarity, (my battery died,) but here are two of my guys.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a312/GeekGirl1970/Fish/snailsbigsmall.jpg

Anyone got an idea?