A Few Pics
My daughter and I popped to the beach to go to "Snail City" as she calls it. At varying times of the year there are different snails. Last year around this time there was nothing much- periwinkles only. This time we struck gold. We collected some periwinkles, turbinaria, and my favourite- trochus snails. I got one massive snail as big as my hand.
You are allowed to collect limited numbers of each variety, roughly 20 of each. These guys will be a great addition to what I have in the tank left from last collection. Most live a reasonable length of time, some get eaten by worms. When my hard corals are doing well, so are the snails. We also collected a small amount of weed. I like to pick up kelp or whatever that is already loose. I try to avoid uprooting it.
Sometimes I find snails kids have been throwing around and if they look like they won't die immediately I'll give them a go. I picked up a couple of shells last summer that had been terribly shattered. On one in particular I removed the broken piece which was about 50% of the opening edge which meant the snail had a lot less to protect him when he would come out. He has been kicking on ever since. He attaches to the wall or rock and just munches away for days. You rarely see him move, but he works through the algae around him and is doing well.
Something a bit random, I found a baby Sea Hare hanging out wanting a close up while sitting on a shell. I thought it must have come from my Sea Hare that I bought some time ago, but it's likely he was on the seaweed I brought back from the beach. He is super cute and I welcome all algae eaters! I have a couple of very difficult spots where I struggle to remove the algae from the back wall. I hope the Hare and snails will chow down and enjoy it!
Snails
The morning coffee date
Baby Sea Hare
You are allowed to collect limited numbers of each variety, roughly 20 of each. These guys will be a great addition to what I have in the tank left from last collection. Most live a reasonable length of time, some get eaten by worms. When my hard corals are doing well, so are the snails. We also collected a small amount of weed. I like to pick up kelp or whatever that is already loose. I try to avoid uprooting it.
Sometimes I find snails kids have been throwing around and if they look like they won't die immediately I'll give them a go. I picked up a couple of shells last summer that had been terribly shattered. On one in particular I removed the broken piece which was about 50% of the opening edge which meant the snail had a lot less to protect him when he would come out. He has been kicking on ever since. He attaches to the wall or rock and just munches away for days. You rarely see him move, but he works through the algae around him and is doing well.
Something a bit random, I found a baby Sea Hare hanging out wanting a close up while sitting on a shell. I thought it must have come from my Sea Hare that I bought some time ago, but it's likely he was on the seaweed I brought back from the beach. He is super cute and I welcome all algae eaters! I have a couple of very difficult spots where I struggle to remove the algae from the back wall. I hope the Hare and snails will chow down and enjoy it!
Snails
The morning coffee date
Baby Sea Hare
