Algae & Snail Identities???

[tbone212371]

Ok I found this item in the Barnaget Bay by LBI while I was clamming this weekend...
And decided to bring in home and put in the Tank....
It is some form of an algae growth...
I love the color of it....
Just wanted to see if anybody could identify it...

Also what type of snails are these???
I brought them back also to throw in the fuge...
They are amasing glass algae cleaners!!!!

"
Also took this shell with some small feath dusters on them....
Anyone have any pro's and or con's on the feath dusters in the fuge????

fixed links

 

[Hawkeye]

Couples things to watch for:

1) the items picked up may not be suitable to your tank because of the temperature differences. In essence, something in the bay endures random temp when comparing winter and summer. It may survive for a while in warmer waters - but you are in essence accelerating their metabolism. So something to keep in mind.

2) Obviously you never know what kind of parasites or critters may have hitched in. Something else to watch for.

3) I don't know the algae (though that red thing is interesting) and I'm somwhat confident the FD's are harmless filter feeders. The question I have though is the snails - with the siphon like that they are either whelks or maybe either Nassarius obseleta or if you struck it rich - Nassarius vibex. Obseleta is a temperate species that some say is helpful cleaner. The better choice is vibex - which lives in the sand and eats detrius/left over food. That's the one people typically see listed on the online vendors.

 

[tbone212371]

Thanks Phil....
They seem to be the VIBEX....
They were in the deep sand beds...
Guess I stuck it rich....
Also just found the other type that I brought back...Marginella snails...
All seem to be flourishing!!!!
That red algea bush growth is amazing though...
The color is just booming...
Thanks again for the info..

 

[Hawkeye]

Even if it's a whelk - it's not dangerous unless you decide to add clams in the tank.

Here's another great link from Melev comparing nassarius vs. whelks:

Whelk vs. Nassarius Snail

 

[tbone212371]

Thanks so much for that link!!!
Nope they are not welks as far as I can tell from all the info....
Seems to be Vibex so that's a Plus in my book.... ;D

 

[albie611]

first of all be careful of what you get from the local waters...most thing do not survive long at tropical temps. and will become polutants in the tank.

the orange /red algea is actualy a sponge that will not survive the warmer water and will eventualy break apart and make a mess(caution)
the red seaweed is red grasalaria ,it will be good foor for any algevores
the snails are most likely nassarius obseleta, again they will not survive long at the warmer temps.

good luck.......al

 

[tbone212371]

Thanks albie and Phil for the info and advice....
I will keep my eye out for anything going south or not making it...
Been 3 days in the tanks and everything seems great and I have never have seen the tank and or the sump/ fuge clearer....