Stomatella Snails

Want a low-maintenance, highly effective cleaner for your reef tank? Look no further than the Stomatella snail – a small but mighty ally in the fight against algae.

Their ability to access tight spots makes them invaluable compared to other snails who are unable to tackle algae and detritus around corals.

While generally easy to care for, the biggest challenge with Stomatella snails is that they can reproduce rapidly in ideal conditions. But don’t let that deter you – read on to discover how to manage their population and utilize their full potential in your reef tank.

What Stomatella Snails Look Like

Stomatella snails are small and only grow to a maximum size of around 1”, and they have smooth shells that are smaller than their bodies.

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Their coloration varies but typically includes shades of brown, gray, or beige. Some species, like Stomatella impertusa, have hues like rose or pink.

Distinguishing features:

• Half-shell covering: Unlike typical snails, only part of their body is protected
• Flattened body shape: More elongated than round, like a slug
• Antennae: Present on their head
• Fast movement: Surprisingly quick for a snail
• Body detachment: Can detach part of its body as a defensive mechanism

Similar looking marine creatures:

• Limpets: Similarity: Flattened shell shape. Difference: Limpets have a fully enclosed shell and slower movement
• Nudibranchs: Similarity: Elongated body and some have partially exposed shells. Difference: Nudibranchs don’t have a shell and have more diverse, often vibrant coloration

Diet And Feeding

Stomatella snails are constantly on the move, grazing on various surfaces to keep your tank clean. These snails primarily feed on:

• Microalgae
• Diatoms
• Cyanobacteria
• Biofilm and microfilm
• Leftover food particles

You’ll often spot them crawling along the glass, rocks, and even substrate, using their radula (a tongue-like organ) to scrape off their microscopic meals.

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They’re particularly active at night, so you might catch them in action if you sneak a peek after lights out. But you’ll probably notice them out and about in shaded areas during the day, too.

Stomatella snails don’t typically compete with other tank mates for food. In fact, they often clean up what other creatures miss or can’t reach. Their small size allows them to access tight spots where algae might accumulate.

In a mature tank with plenty of algae growth, these snails will find enough to eat on their own.

Will Stomatella snails harm corals? While they’re excellent algae eaters, Stomatella snails won’t harm your corals or other invertebrates. They’re 100% reef-safe, so you don’t need to worry about them munching on your corals.

Tank Setup

Stomatella snails can thrive in various tank sizes if you have an established tank, say 1 year or more. Cover your tank with plenty of live rock, creating a landscape rich in nooks and crannies. These snails love to explore, so the more diverse the terrain, the better.

They don’t have specific lighting requirements.

Consider adding a dim or red light option for night viewing, as Stomatella snails are most active after dark. This allows you to observe their nocturnal antics without disturbing them.

How many Stomatella snails can you keep in a reef tank? A group of 5 is often recommended as a good starting point (but only 1 in a Pico reef).

Here’s a table of ideal water parameters:

Parameter	Ideal Range
Temperature	72-82°F (22-28°C)
Salinity	1.023-1.025 sg
pH	8.1-8.4
Alkalinity	8-12 dKH
Calcium	400-450 ppm
Magnesium	1250-1350 ppm
Nitrate	<10 ppm
Phosphate	<0.05 ppm

Stomatella snails don’t require specific supplements, but maintaining these parameters will help keep them healthy.

Acclimating Stomatella Snails

1. Temperature match: Turn the light off and float the sealed bag in your reef tank for about 15 minutes to equalize temperatures.
2. Quick introduction: Transfer the snail directly into the tank after temperature matching. Discard the shipping water to avoid introducing potential toxins.
3. Careful placement: Gently place the snail on a rock. Avoid dropping it from a height.
4. Dim lighting: Place the snail in a shaded area initially.
5. Watch the snail closely for the first few hours. It may take time to become active, and they will be vulnerable during this time.

Special Precautions:

• Never use pest dips or copper-based medications in a tank with Stomatella snails.
• Skip drip acclimation. Unlike fish, these intertidal creatures handle quick changes better than prolonged exposure to shipping water.
• If you need to move a Stomatella, do so carefully to avoid triggering its defense mechanism of detaching part of its body.

Behavior And Tank Mates

Stomatella snails are peaceful, primarily nocturnal creatures that become surprisingly active after dark. During the day, they often hide in crevices, but at night, they zoom around the tank, grazing on algae and biofilm.

They’re not social with each other but may form loose groups while feeding. These snails are excellent climbers, frequently seen on tank glass and equipment.

Suitable tank mates:

• Most peaceful fish (clownfish, gobies, blennies)
• Other herbaceous snails and hermit crabs (with caution)
• Shrimp (cleaner, peppermint)
• Non-aggressive corals and anemones

Species to avoid:

• Predatory fish (puffers, triggerfish)
• Large, aggressive crabs
• Some wrasses (Six-line wrasse)

What happens if they detach part of their body? If your snail has become stressed enough to detach part of its body, there’s nothing you can do except leave it alone. The head and body will heal and regrow that section. The detached section will not regrow into another snail, similar to how a lizard loses its tail.

Breeding And Reproduction

Stomatella snails are one of the few prolific breeders in home reef tanks. They’re broadcast spawners, releasing eggs and sperm into the water column.

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During spawning, you might notice them climbing to high points in the tank before releasing a cloud of gametes, causing brief water cloudiness.

I captured this breeding behavior in a video on my Reef Jar channel! Watch it here:

Unlike some snails, Stomatella needs a mate to reproduce. A pair can grow into a colony of over 100 individuals in favorable conditions within months. Their population tends to self-regulate based on available food, but they can sometimes outgrow tank capacity.

If you find yourself with too many Stomatella snails:

1. Offer them to other reef keepers
2. Reduce feeding to limit population growth naturally

Stomatella Snail Tips

Keeping your Stomatella snails healthy is pretty straightforward. Watch for normal, active grazing behavior. If they’re not moving much, something might be off. Check their shells for cracks or damage, and make sure their bodies look smooth and intact.

Common issues to look out for:

• Inactivity or hiding excessively
• Falling off surfaces frequently
• Visible damage to the shell or body
• Unusual discoloration

If you spot these signs, check your water parameters first. Poor water quality is often the culprit. Avoid using any copper-based treatments in your tank, as these are toxic to Stomatella snails.

To keep them thriving:

• Maintain stable water conditions
• Provide plenty of surfaces for grazing
• Keep predators out of your tank

Can You Keep Stomatella Snails In A Reef Jar?

I’ve kept a single Stomatella snail in a reef jar, which I showed above in the breeding section, but there are some important things to keep in mind.

Pros:

• At about 1 inch max, keep 1 snail won’t overcrowd a small space.
• They produce minimal waste
• They’ll help keep your jar clean by grazing on algae.
• These snails can thrive in various tank sizes.

Cons:

• In a jar, population growth could quickly become an issue if you have 2 or more.
• A jar may not provide enough algae to sustain them long-term.
• When doing water changes, you could accidentally crush them with unsecured rocks.
• Unstable temperatures will cause premature death.
• If they die in your jar, they will pollute the water quickly.

If you have a mature jar and are up for the challenge, Stomatella snails are interesting additions. But for their best health and your peace of mind, they’re generally better suited to slightly larger setups where conditions are easier to keep stable.