do turbo snaisl eat soft coral

**mmenz22779** · 02-22-2010, 03:59 AM

I have some soft coral in my 29 gal biocube I bought 4 turbos snails on the recommendation from my LFS, I as wonderin do they eat soft coral such as polyps and mushrooms? they go right over them and i dont want them to eat them.

I assumed that my LFS knew that i had soft coral in there as i told them but would rather here it from here.

I also have a sea urchint is my soft coral safe from this guy as well.
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Thanks

**rayme07** · 02-22-2010, 04:03 AM

The turbo snails are perfectly fine. The reason why they go over them is to eat any algae or left over food that may be on the other side of the corals or at the base of the coral. My turbos do it all the time by crawling over my zoes. What type of urchin do you have? Most urchins like the pencil sea urchin and the long sniped sea urchin are fine but I have heard of some cases were they eat corals when they do not have enough algae. With any urchin it is best to be cautious.

**mmenz22779** · 02-22-2010, 04:06 AM

my sea urchin is a spiky ball. Things stick to it. and thanks for the reply i was worried about it and was thinkin of pulling the out.

**rayme07** · 02-22-2010, 04:09 AM

Originally Posted by mmenz22779

my sea urchin is a spiky ball. Things stick to it. and thanks for the reply i was worried about it and was thinkin of pulling the out.

No problem, your urchin sounds like a tuxedo urchin. Here is a link to some info and a pic:Saltwater Aquarium Inverts for Marine Reef Aquariums: Pincushion Urchin, Blue Tuxedo

**PhotoJohn** · 02-22-2010, 10:41 AM

what color foot do your turbos have? there are non reef safe snail. The red footed turbos are not reef safe.

**saxman** · 02-22-2010, 04:29 PM

Originally Posted by PhotoJohn

what color foot do your turbos have? there are non reef safe snail. The red footed turbos are not reef safe.

what species are you referring to? the only "red-footed turbo" i know of is Norrisia norrisi, which is found in the kelp beds off the coast of CA, and is definitely an herbivore. also, being from temperate waters, it doesn't live long at warmer temps. this snail is also known as the "red-footed moon snail".

about the only other red-footed snail i've come across is the red-footed conch (Opeatostoma pseudodon), which is an omnivore and will feed on detritus as well as vegetable matter. they're considered reef safe, but a starving specimen may take drastic action and feed on softies. also, these snails look nothing like a "turbo", as they have a large toothlike projection near their operculum, which is why they're also referred to as "toothed conchs".

just curious...

**mmenz22779** · 02-22-2010, 05:15 PM

I will post pics as soon as i can. either this week or monday

**Skurvey Dog** · 02-22-2010, 08:14 PM

One has to be very careful, especially when ordering marine animals from unknown sources, especially on-line. It is my understanding that in the last year, there have been many a snail, hermit crab and whatnot sold under the pretense of being "a certain species", but was not and wasn't reef safe, snails especially. Many of those said snails were not only, not reef safe, but were a cold water species and didn't live very long in a reef tank.

**PhotoJohn** · 02-23-2010, 12:35 AM

Originally Posted by saxman

what species are you referring to? the only "red-footed turbo" i know of is Norrisia norrisi, which is found in the kelp beds off the coast of CA, and is definitely an herbivore. also, being from temperate waters, it doesn't live long at warmer temps. this snail is also known as the "red-footed moon snail".

about the only other red-footed snail i've come across is the red-footed conch (Opeatostoma pseudodon), which is an omnivore and will feed on detritus as well as vegetable matter. they're considered reef safe, but a starving specimen may take drastic action and feed on softies. also, these snails look nothing like a "turbo", as they have a large toothlike projection near their operculum, which is why they're also referred to as "toothed conchs".

just curious...

I dont know, I will see if they still have them next time I stop by that store. they said they were not reef safe and they call just about anything reef safe.

**mmenz22779** · 03-01-2010, 04:45 PM

so far so good. My turbos are doing a good job. I now have 7 of them. Might get 3-4 more along with a few more crab. The more work they do the less i do.

**mmenz22779** · 03-01-2010, 05:12 PM

Ya it is tuxedo urchin

**CarmieJo** · 03-04-2010, 01:31 AM

Turbos often are temperate snails and short lived at reef temperatures. You might want to add some cerith instead. They do well at reef temps and are a good algae grazer.