An Acropora Eating Snail plucked out of Hideki Mukai’s SPS reef. SPS keepers in Asia are begining to face a new Acropora eating pest that has been tentatively identified as Aesopus spiculus. This small snail is part of the Dove Shell family Columbellidae and can be found in the waters of Southern Japan and the Indo-Pacific. The markings are [...]
An Acropora Eating Snail plucked out of Hideki Mukai’s SPS reef.
SPS keepers in Asia are begining to face a new Acropora eating pest that has been tentatively identified as Aesopus spiculus. This small snail is part of the Dove Shell family Columbellidae and can be found in the waters of Southern Japan and the Indo-Pacific. The markings are beautiful, but it has been observed by aquarists that this snail has a taste for SPS, leaving behind white bare skeleton as it dines on the coral’s flesh.
The snails have a particular affinity for smooth “deepwater”Acroporas. Montipora is dined upon as well. Similar snails have made cameos in the U.S. but not in the numbers that are currently being experienced by SPS keepers in Asia.
It is not uncommon for aquarists around the world to come across coral eating snails, e.g. many Sundial snails (Heliacus spp.) are obligate feeders of Zoanthids. When ever picking up a new coral thoroughly inspect it for pests. Dipping nowadays is a must, but quarantine and observation is still best.
Aesopus spiculus, making aquacultured coral trading that much more attractive… bite after bite.
