Snails clogging pumps

[Paul B]

As I was loking at my tank today I noticed that there was hardly anything moving. Not the fish, the corals. I felt the two powerheads to determine that they were running (they are very old and may croak at any minute)
So I removed the homemade strainers to find them clogged with tiny snails, or clams. I didn't yet have time to put them under a scope to see exactly what they are.
Usually these happenings go un noticed and these animals just take their place in the rocks and go un noticed until they either die off or grow large enough to stare at me.
But at least it a good sight and a sign that everything is as it should be.

 

[Paul B]

All is well but they are definately snails. Looking closely at the rock with a scope, they are all over the place. They are not local mud snails and I did not add any rocks or corals in many months, maybe years. Cool looking little suckers, I just hope they don't grow or I will have to buy a lot of linguini to go along with them for dinner.

 

[redfishbluefish]

Paul, could they be Collonista snails?

HERE’s a link that includes a picture of the guys that are in my tank.

 

[Paul B]

They probably are.
Here is an excerp from an article about Collonista snails.

In a crowded aquarium, you may experience problems with water intakes due to “snail-blockage”.