Cerith Snails

OCEANARIUM
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Cerith Snails. Cerith sp.

There are many species of Cerith distributed through out the world. Oceanarium collects several species throughout the summer months. We find them once water temperatures rise and diatom algae’s bloom concentrating them in high enough numbers to collect in specific locations. They are one of the most durable and desirable animals we have kept having many positive attributes that help the establishment of a balanced aquarium ecosystem.

These snails concentrate in areas of diatom algae indicating just how useful they are in aquariums. They are the single best animal we have come across for controlling nuisance algae’s that many herbivores are reluctant to eat. They are also excellent at grazing the rocks preventing build up of macro algae’s.

Larger snails often dislodge valuable coral specimens this can cause serious damage to the coral and also the coral it lands on. The small size of Cerith and low profile shape make it very unlikely any specimens can be dislodged.

If you keep a bare bottom aquarium you will find great benefit from the Ceriths other attribute. The snails graze detritus as well, they concentrate in the aquarium were piles of detritus accumulate. Breaking detritus down to a very fine waste easily exported by water movement to the protein skimmer.

Aquarium care.
Cerith need little special attention and are quite tough little critters. I account having accidentally left some at our Northern collection base for some several weeks in the height of summer in an aquarium. No power no light 35C water temps. They survived feeding on detritus for the period.

Mantis shrimp and flesh eating whelks are predators of the Cerith and should be removed from the aquarium.

Feeding.
Cerith will graze on detritus, diatoms and algae grazed from the rocks. No further feeding is required.

Size.
Species vary most are collected at 2-3 cm length.

Breeding.

Cerith will readily reproduce un-aided in the aquarium and will establish a population in proportion to the available food. This photograph depicts the typical spiral pattern Ceriths lay eggs.