USDA and Snails

Gina · 04-29-2006, 03:54 PM

Ok, I just got back from the LFS and over heard the employees talking about the USDA is going to ban the importing of all snails because of a mystery snail that they have not be able to identify that causes flukes in humans.

Anyone else hear about this?

mps9506 · 04-29-2006, 06:21 PM

Haven't heard this from any of my suppliers.
FWIW astreas are collected in Fl, so shouldn't affect them.
Sure they were refering to SW or FW snails?

Gina · 04-29-2006, 07:30 PM

They said it was SW. I thought it was a little strange only because I hadn't heard anything about here.

I then asked a different employee and he said the same thing. They had just found out about it this week.

BoomerD · 04-29-2006, 08:58 PM

The only thing I find at the USDA website is this:
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/newsroom/h...nt_snail.shtml

which has this link:

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/parasi...strongylus.htm

WHOOPS!!

Here's a bit more:
http://www.ars.usda.gov/research/pub..._no_115=127408

"Melanoides tuberculata is one of only two members of freshwater snails in the family Thiaridae found in the United States. It is a tropical snail and dies when water temperatures drop below 15C for more than a few weeks. It has a spindle shaped shell (some over 5 cm in length) with a hardened covering (operculum) over the mantle opening (cover offers protection against predators and chemicals). The snail has been found in several southern states and in some warmwater springs of more northern states. It is considered a major problem in the Florida tropical fish industry because it carries a trematode that infects the gills of fish. This trematode has the potential to infect most other propagated fish species raised in warm waters. It also infects a number of native fish species in some Texas rivers and springs. The snail is very difficult to eradicate but fish producers in Florida have been able to reduce its numbers by using an application of Bayluscide. "

Gina · 04-30-2006, 01:04 PM

Thanks for that info Boomer.
One guy who was there browsing had heard them also and immediately bought a bunch of snails. According to the employees, they probably weren't going to be able to get any more in. We'll see!

mps9506 · 05-04-2006, 10:52 AM

USDA lady stopped by my place yesterday to inspect us. She didn't know anything about it. Not saying much as she is never straightforward with anything to me anyways....
None of my suppliers have sent me any info regarding snails either (salt or fresh).

Gina · 05-04-2006, 05:53 PM

Thanks Mike. I think next time I'm in there, I'm going to questions them again about it and see what they have to say.

04-29-2006, 03:54 PM	#1 (permalink)
Gina Moderator Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Indiana Posts: 8,829 View Gallery Karma Komment	USDA and Snails Ok, I just got back from the LFS and over heard the employees talking about the USDA is going to ban the importing of all snails because of a mystery snail that they have not be able to identify that causes flukes in humans. Anyone else hear about this? __________________ Gina and Mark's 75 Visit Our Sponsors Gina's Cube Gina

04-29-2006, 06:21 PM	#2 (permalink)
mps9506 They misunderestimated me Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Wilmington, NC Posts: 7,436 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: USDA and Snails Haven't heard this from any of my suppliers. FWIW astreas are collected in Fl, so shouldn't affect them. Sure they were refering to SW or FW snails? __________________ Mike "The Bandwith Bandit" Help Build Reefpedia Premium Membership Available! Support Reef Sanctuary Sponsors

04-29-2006, 07:30 PM	#3 (permalink)
Gina Moderator Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Indiana Posts: 8,829 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: USDA and Snails They said it was SW. I thought it was a little strange only because I hadn't heard anything about here. I then asked a different employee and he said the same thing. They had just found out about it this week. __________________ Gina and Mark's 75 Visit Our Sponsors Gina's Cube Gina

04-29-2006, 08:58 PM	#4 (permalink)
BoomerD Reef Shark Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Northern California Posts: 5,637 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: USDA and Snails The only thing I find at the USDA website is this: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/newsroom/h...nt_snail.shtml which has this link: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/parasi...strongylus.htm WHOOPS!! Here's a bit more: http://www.ars.usda.gov/research/pub..._no_115=127408 "Melanoides tuberculata is one of only two members of freshwater snails in the family Thiaridae found in the United States. It is a tropical snail and dies when water temperatures drop below 15C for more than a few weeks. It has a spindle shaped shell (some over 5 cm in length) with a hardened covering (operculum) over the mantle opening (cover offers protection against predators and chemicals). The snail has been found in several southern states and in some warmwater springs of more northern states. It is considered a major problem in the Florida tropical fish industry because it carries a trematode that infects the gills of fish. This trematode has the potential to infect most other propagated fish species raised in warm waters. It also infects a number of native fish species in some Texas rivers and springs. The snail is very difficult to eradicate but fish producers in Florida have been able to reduce its numbers by using an application of Bayluscide. " __________________ Intelligence is not knowing all the answers, but knowing where and how to find them! www.google.com

04-30-2006, 01:04 PM	#5 (permalink)
Gina Moderator Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Indiana Posts: 8,829 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: USDA and Snails Thanks for that info Boomer. One guy who was there browsing had heard them also and immediately bought a bunch of snails. According to the employees, they probably weren't going to be able to get any more in. We'll see! __________________ Gina and Mark's 75 Visit Our Sponsors Gina's Cube Gina

05-04-2006, 10:52 AM	#6 (permalink)
mps9506 They misunderestimated me Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Wilmington, NC Posts: 7,436 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: USDA and Snails USDA lady stopped by my place yesterday to inspect us. She didn't know anything about it. Not saying much as she is never straightforward with anything to me anyways.... None of my suppliers have sent me any info regarding snails either (salt or fresh). __________________ Mike "The Bandwith Bandit" Help Build Reefpedia Premium Membership Available! Support Reef Sanctuary Sponsors

05-04-2006, 05:53 PM	#7 (permalink)
Gina Moderator Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Indiana Posts: 8,829 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: USDA and Snails Thanks Mike. I think next time I'm in there, I'm going to questions them again about it and see what they have to say. __________________ Gina and Mark's 75 Visit Our Sponsors Gina's Cube Gina

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