Pyramidellid Snail

Pyramidellid Snail

• Specific Name: Pyramidellidae family (various species)

• Diet: Parasite – feeds on blood and tissue fluids of clams, snails, and sometimes other inverts

• Pest or Good Guy: ❌ Pest

• Size: Tiny – 1–3 mm

• Breed in Captivity: Yes – can reproduce rapidly, especially in tanks with clams

• Cautions: May be hard to spot until infestation is severe; often appear as clusters near the base of clams or on other snails

Description:

Pyramidellid snails are some of the most deceptive pests in the reef world—minuscule, white, and often overlooked until it’s too late. These parasitic hitchhikers latch onto clams and other snails, inserting a needle-like feeding appendage to suck out nutrients. They often swarm the base of Tridacna clams, leading to slow declines or sudden deaths. You might first notice them as small white bumps on shells or near the byssal opening of a clam. They’re known to breed rapidly, especially when hosts are available, and are extremely difficult to eradicate once established. Manual removal and isolating or dipping new arrivals are your best defenses. In clam-focused tanks, these snails are public enemy number one.