BrianPlankis
08-28-2006, 10:36 AM
Trochus stellatus (Gmelin, 1791) Information Listing
Original Source: Frags N Crabs retailer/ReefSavers Wholesaler. They were captive bred, but original snails were from the Indo-Pacific.
Identification: ReefSavers Identified them as Trochus histrio
Tina Petway, Associate Curator of Malacology at the Houston Museum of Natural Science ID'd the snail as Trochus stellatus (Gmelin, 1791) or possibly, but much less likely a juvenile Trochus niloticus (Linne, 1767)
Size: Gastropods.com lists the adult size as 18-40mm, but the largest one I have in my tank was measured to be 28mm.
Reproduction: These snails are broadcast spawners with males releasing sperm into the water. Females release eggs shortly after the males spawn (15-30 minutes). The resulting larvae are assumed to be non feeding planktonic larvae. FINISH - read Trochus source
Lifespan: Unknown in the wild. I received some that were nearly full size and they are still alive after 1 year. This is an area that could be researched.
Sexual Maturity: It is unknown how long it takes these snails to reach sexual maturity, but is dependent on tank conditions and food availability. This is an area that could be researched.
Potential Problems:
1. They can get stuck in SEIO or other narrow powerhead intakes with strong suction and perish.
2. The babies are small enough that any top-off devices will need snail guards to prevent the top-off device from sticking in the on position and overflowing the tank.
Diet/Breeding Tips:
This snail is a borderline Easy/Difficult animal. While I am getting some babies to survive in my tank, it is barely enough to replace the adults as they age. With Planktonic larvae, it is assumed that they will do better in a tank without a skimmer and raised as the only snail in the tank.
These are one of the most desirable snails in the RSF catalog and a dedicated raising system could yield a much higher survival rate than my current easy system. Any juveniles will be released to skimmerless tanks only at this time.
Images:
http://www.projectdibs.com/forums/images/ProjectDIBS/DIBSInverts/Gastropods/20060616TrochusShells.jpg
http://www.projectdibs.com/forums/images/ProjectDIBS/DIBSInverts/Gastropods/07282005snail1.jpg
Additional Information:
http://www.fao.org/documents/show_cdr.asp?url_file=/docrep/005/AC902E/AC902E10.htm
http://www.gastropods.com/3/Shell_1683.html
Original Source: Frags N Crabs retailer/ReefSavers Wholesaler. They were captive bred, but original snails were from the Indo-Pacific.
Identification: ReefSavers Identified them as Trochus histrio
Tina Petway, Associate Curator of Malacology at the Houston Museum of Natural Science ID'd the snail as Trochus stellatus (Gmelin, 1791) or possibly, but much less likely a juvenile Trochus niloticus (Linne, 1767)
Size: Gastropods.com lists the adult size as 18-40mm, but the largest one I have in my tank was measured to be 28mm.
Reproduction: These snails are broadcast spawners with males releasing sperm into the water. Females release eggs shortly after the males spawn (15-30 minutes). The resulting larvae are assumed to be non feeding planktonic larvae. FINISH - read Trochus source
Lifespan: Unknown in the wild. I received some that were nearly full size and they are still alive after 1 year. This is an area that could be researched.
Sexual Maturity: It is unknown how long it takes these snails to reach sexual maturity, but is dependent on tank conditions and food availability. This is an area that could be researched.
Potential Problems:
1. They can get stuck in SEIO or other narrow powerhead intakes with strong suction and perish.
2. The babies are small enough that any top-off devices will need snail guards to prevent the top-off device from sticking in the on position and overflowing the tank.
Diet/Breeding Tips:
This snail is a borderline Easy/Difficult animal. While I am getting some babies to survive in my tank, it is barely enough to replace the adults as they age. With Planktonic larvae, it is assumed that they will do better in a tank without a skimmer and raised as the only snail in the tank.
These are one of the most desirable snails in the RSF catalog and a dedicated raising system could yield a much higher survival rate than my current easy system. Any juveniles will be released to skimmerless tanks only at this time.
Images:
http://www.projectdibs.com/forums/images/ProjectDIBS/DIBSInverts/Gastropods/20060616TrochusShells.jpg
http://www.projectdibs.com/forums/images/ProjectDIBS/DIBSInverts/Gastropods/07282005snail1.jpg
Additional Information:
http://www.fao.org/documents/show_cdr.asp?url_file=/docrep/005/AC902E/AC902E10.htm
http://www.gastropods.com/3/Shell_1683.html