Snail... evil or not?

Hi BC,

It will be host-specific, so it's not going to feed on anything else in your tank. One of them might be able to feed on it without killing it, two means they may be multiplying...I think I'd remove one and leave one on it, unless I really valued the carnation. But then again, I'm a snail guy

I agree that the stripes look to be more defined, which may mean we've found a close relative rather than an exact ID. As I was looking at shell pics, I'm pretty sure there were at least four or five different species show as this by different authorities, which gives you an idea how difficult it is to ID the animals in this family. The main reason is that they were named by shell characteristics, and there are many very dissimilar ovulids that have very similar shells.

It changes its appearance by extending the mantle over the shell, then inflating the papillae and other little bumps and protuberances, just as a cowry does, giving it some great camouflage. I never studied this family, since their food species were very scarce in the areas I frequented, but cowries have been one of my faves for a long time. A new ovulid book will be out in early 2009, so it should boost interest in the family I'd think.

Headed fishing, cheers,




Don

 

Thanks so much for the info! I don't really value the carnation since I am 99.9% sure it will die anyways within a few months. I wonder if these ovulids will survive without the carnation after it dies? If no, maybe I'll remove them, if yes, I'd like to leave them and let them be a pretty addition to my tank...