Is this a reef safe nassarius?

[Richb]

I just bought a couple of leopard nassarius snails. That is what I was told they are.

I did a search of AP and the net and cannot find anything that looks like them.

They do bury into the sand/gravel when in the aquarium (quarantine tank).

Before I put them in the display, I want to make sure they are reef safe.

Thanks in advance.

Picture is attached.

[ajx22]

They are definitely NOT the desired Nassarius snails.

This is a true Nassarius vibex:
http://www.jaxshells.org/0930a.jpg

While there are a long list of snails that fall into the Nassarius genus (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nassarius) - most are predatory and NOT suitable for marine aquaria. Many times people mistake Whelks for Nassarius. For the most part - gastropods with a siphon are not safe; with N. vibex being the rare exception.

I would NOT place those into your display tank; as the probability of being reef-safe and beneficial is very slight.

HTH ,

[Richb]

Thanks AJX22,

I bought them at one of the GTA LFS sponsers who told me that they were the real deal, but when I got them home, something was just not right.

The big one is about 3 cm long (which I think is too big) and the shells are completely smooth not scallops liked all the nassarius pictures I have seen.

I will dig them out of my quarantine tank ( 1 inch of CC) and try to take them back.


Anyone know of a LFS that has the Nassarius Vibex in stock.

When I call, they say yes, but they do not look like the picture that AJX22 supplied. (Black/white mottle shells).

The search continues.

[amoreira]

I have snails exactly like those pictured - about 6 of them. Their size ranges from 3/4" to 1 1/4". They hang out in my sand and don't pop up too much to disturb much of anything. When they do pop up my Lawnmower Blenny tries to make lunch of them. Over about 2-3 months of keeping them I've not had any problems.

[ajx22]

Thanks AJX22,

I bought them at one of the GTA LFS sponsers who told me that they were the real deal, but when I got them home, something was just not right.

The big one is about 3 cm long (which I think is too big) and the shells are completely smooth not scallops liked all the nassarius pictures I have seen.

I will dig them out of my quarantine tank ( 1 inch of CC) and try to take them back.


Anyone know of a LFS that has the Nassarius Vibex in stock.

When I call, they say yes, but they do not look like the picture that AJX22 supplied. (Black/white mottle shells).

The search continues.

Unfortunately - gastropods are a very large group of animals; and there are very few people (especially in the 'hobby') who really know how to properly identify them. There are many that without magnified viewing assistance of the operculum (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operculum_%28gastropod%29) - 2 or more animals may appear the same.

I have even seen published gastropod experts mis-identify animals within the conch family (Strombus genus). I have spent much of my years in the hobby studying gastropods (personal fascination); and have found that like most things in the ocean; we only know such a small, small volume of info. Most stores rely on collectors to send them the properly identified animals - and I wouldn't expect most shops to be able to differentiate most gastropods...and uneducated livestock collectors = not a chance! Scary enough - some Nassarius are even being researched due to being linked to containing tetrotoxins.

That said - you shouldn't be adding Nassarius snails (or any other 'sandbed critters') to your tank with a SSB (<4")of coarse aragonite - as you need to vacuum the substrate weekly; and the coarser/sharper grains will rip/cut the soft bodies of the snails; and they will die. Nassarius vibex should be only introduced to tanks with an established DSB made up of >4" (~6") of fine grain (Oolitic) aragonite sand.

HTH ,

[Fraggle Rock]

I have three snails that look exactly like those pictured in my tank for almost a year. Only recently have 2 of them died (one shell is now a host to my only hermit crab). They live in the sand and come out when I feed the fish. They seemed to behave like my other "nassarius".

[amoreira]

Just a few moments ago one popped up and I snapped this picture of it. The lens is casting a shadow at the bottom.

[StevieK]

I just bought a couple of leopard nassarius snails. That is what I was told they are.

I did a search of AP and the net and cannot find anything that looks like them.

They do bury into the sand/gravel when in the aquarium (quarantine tank).

Before I put them in the display, I want to make sure they are reef safe.

Thanks in advance.

Picture is attached.

AJ is correct you do need an established bed for these guys to do their work. I have them in my tank and they are indeed reef safe in my tank. They grow larger than the standard Nassarius and you typically pay a premium for them. Their proper name eludes me at the moment, however, i will get back to you when my brain kicks into gear.

Steve