Black Nassarius Snails

[eddybabyhd]

Has anyone ever heard of Nassarius snails being black? I just got some I ordered, and they are black. They look identical to the tan colored ones I have. They are just black.

This article says they can be black. Just wondering if anyone had ever seen them this color

http://www.aquariumdomain.com/inverts/nassariusSnail.asp

 

[Travis L. Stevens]

Most likely they are the temperate water Ilyanassa obsoleta snail. It was once considered a Nassarius species. There is an ebay seller that sells "Nassarius Snails" that are actually Ilyanassa.

Ilynassa obsoleta

 

[eddybabyhd]

are they bad for the reed enviroment? From what i have been reading. if properly acclimated, they are of no harm

 

[pwhitby]

they just dont survive very well

but other than that, they are fine

 

[eddybabyhd]

thanks for the info. we will see how they do

 

[theishkid]

I've been wondering what that thing is... I have had one in my aquarium (looks just like that picture) for a year and a half now. It's actually the longest lived snail in the tank right now. It must have come in as a hitchhiker because I never bought one.

 

[Travis L. Stevens]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8090941#post8090941 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by theishkid
I've been wondering what that thing is... I have had one in my aquarium (looks just like that picture) for a year and a half now. It's actually the longest lived snail in the tank right now. It must have come in as a hitchhiker because I never bought one.

Uh oh. You might be in a little trouble. Have you noticed any snails missing? You might want to read up on Whelks. ABout half way down are some good pictures and information

http://www.melevsreef.com/pics/0504/baby_maxima.html

 

[eddybabyhd]

from what i have read, the whelks have rough shells, kind of like conches. and the nassurius "look alikes" have smooth rounded shells.

Whelks are lots bigger too

 

[Travis L. Stevens]

That is true, but at first glance they are easy to mistake as various types of Nassarius and Ilyanassa snails.

 

[Russ Braaten]

I have purchased those snails too and they do die off faster than the whiter ones. I think they come from the Carolinas. It must be nice to make money right outside your front door.

 

[MyMonkey]

I had about 50 of the Ilyanassa obsoleta snails in my tank at one point. They eat absolutly anything. Good scavenger. Although, they are a colder water species as mentioned. I removed all but a few over the past year. The rest fell victim to my evil blue legged hermits. FWIW

 

[captbunzo]

I get frustrated by Ilyanassa obsoleta being sold as Nassarius online. In short, the eBay sellers are simply being fraudulant by selling them as Nassarius. I have contacted them. Others have contacted them. They refuse to fix their auctions to label these snails correctly.

I, personally, would contact the seller and request a refund. If we just put up with the problem, they will never stop.

And I know I sound a bit crazy. But I get so tired of eBay fraud, etc.

 

[eddybabyhd]

make me fell bad about the situation why dont you. JK, ebay has grown into a well oiled machine, used to manipulate many people. I personally see ebay as a huge garage sale.

I hope they live at least a little while

 

[captbunzo]

Ah - they will likely live for a good while. They are just less effective detritivores then true Nassarius. Nassarius will also stir sand better... The used to be a good article by Ron Shimek discussing the differences. But I think that old webside has failed...

 

[Travis L. Stevens]

FWIW, I have Ilyanassa snails in my tank and they have been there for over a year. I started with about 30 and I think I'm down to about 20-15. They've been through a lot. My average tank temperature is about 80-82, but there was a time that I was running a constant 83-85. It wasn't ideal, but it was because of two faulty thermometers. I'm sure they are enjoying the cooler temperatures more now

 

[dexterd]

I have some that i have had for a year now and they are doing just fine. eat alge and like reg food but will eat deatrus if reg foodnot available.
Teresa

 

[herpchat]

Well I too ended up with the black snails that I bought as the other, got them from the same guy I bought my microstars and spaghetti worms from.

 

[scott0615]

Yet everyone still supports online livestock retailers!?!?!?!?!?

 

[VCoo71]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8119180#post8119180 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by scott0615
Yet everyone still supports online livestock retailers!?!?!?!?!?

you just gotta know what your getting into!

charlie

 

[captbunzo]

yep... I agree with charlie...