[vitela316]

Ok I have had my saltwater tank for about 4 months. I have turbo & margarita snails and about a month ago I noticed a snail-like creature with no shell. Is that how snails start out?? When does it get a shell?

Also I noticed 3 small green orbs on my live rock. Do snails lay green eggs?

Lastly, crabs. Ok I have noticed these weird little floating white "things" that I thought were some infestation of some kind. However, tonight I noticed one of my crabs climbing half out of his shell and forcing those little white things out and would immediately swimming around...are these the start of crab babies??? Tonight I have also noticed for the first time these fast, silver little creatures moving around (they look like shrimp to me but I never bought any). They are creepy and move like the water is not there. Please tell me those small white things turn into the silver creatures, which grow into hermit crabs. Any input would be helpful thanks.

[NATIVEVAMAN]

The "snail" without the shell is probably some type of slug or nudibranch.There is a good chance it is not a good thing.Catch it and take it to the lfs for ID if you can.
The little green "orbs" are a type of algea that you dont want.Remove it useing a turkey baster,but do not pop the bubble or it will spread like wild fire.The little white things are "pods" they are good free fish foodThe little white things do not turn into silver things or hermit cabs.

[vitela316]

Thanks for the info.

I thought the green orbs were eggs and would have just left them there.

As for the slug creature, guess I have so work to do.

So what about crabs? Do crab babies start out looking like crabs or do they look like small silver shrimp that vary in the size of a small ant to the size of a potatoe bug. Not sure just how big they get yet I only noticed them last night. thanks

[NATIVEVAMAN]

Without a pic there is no certainty to any identification,but I am going to bet that they are not crabs of any kind.

[vitela316]

Yeah I was afraid of that, I will try and get a pic so that maybe someone can tell me what they are so I know how bad it is...hopefully it's nothing real bad.

[Terrjenn]

Could the small silver "shrimp" be bristle worms?

[NATIVEVAMAN]

Bristle worms are either burried in the sand or hiding in the rock,you wont find them swimming around in the tank.

[vitela316]

Oh the silver ones don't swim they crawl on the rock and sand...and at a very fast speed (looks like they are moving on land). Every time I see one it's gone before I can take a picture.

[Terrjenn]

Yes, I didn't see where the silver things were swimming, that's why I guessed Bristle worms. I think that's what they are. I have them too. Really tiny and fast. I'm hoping they make good fish food soon! LOL!

[vitela316]

Not sure they still look like mini shrimp...I got a pic now I just have to hope I can post it properly.parasite.jpg

[dinor2]

If the slug/snail looking creature has a longer tail and more oval shaped 'shell' it may be an abalone snail! I just found 2 in my tank which has been running only 6 weeks, one is about the size of a dime and the other was much smaller... They get around fast and mostly come out at night or right after the lights come on in the morning you may see them.

~Dana