sundial snails

How big do they get? As they get bigger is the black & white pattern less pronounced?

My zoanthid population has been crushed in the last couple of weeks, I have some snail that came over as part of a package I ordered but I'm beginning to think they may be the problem.

Pics to come tomorrow.

 

They generally stay small. Sundials are easy to ID b/c they have a really pointed mouth that they use to get into the inner skirt of the zoanthid. I would say the the max size that I have seen them have been as big as my pinky finger nail. HTH.

1 sundial can make a full zoanthid colony rock close up completely. One can do a whole lot of damage IMO.

 

Here are a couple of pictures that I found of a sundail that I have on file.

 

Yup, most of the ones you'll see associated with your zoanthids don't get much over half an inch in width. There are some other species (Architectonica) that get a lot larger, up to about 3.5 inches. I think the large ones usually feed on solitary sand-dwelling anemones. There are a few species of Heliacus that lack the checkerboard pattern, and they may be a smooth brown color. I only know of these eating brown zoanthids, though. A pic should certainly help.

Cheers,



Don

 

Are you referring to their operculum? It does indeed make them easy to ID, but that's a cone shaped door, if you will, and is not a mouth part.