hey all! Back from 3 days at the beach!..Need a snail ID.

[mfp4073]

I dont have a picture of them yet, but figured Id post (pic coming later). I found some really cool looking snails at new symerna beach today. Shaped similar to a Cerith shell and were in the surf area (I didnt go out any farther after watching the sharks eat baitfish for 2 days). They also have a "stalk" that sticks up when buried in the sand. Darker color with a really pretty pattern to it. Any ideas? (PICS SOON I SWEAR)

 

[Freed]

Could be the deadly cone snail but you would have to do a google search to find pics of ones that look like yours. Don't touch it whatever you do. Could kill you.

 

[RicksReefs]

sounds like it may be a predatory whelk.

 

[mfp4073]

LOL, dont touch it....? There would be a lot of very dead people on the beach if that was true...including me! Heres a pic....I could not get it to come out, but the shell should help.

 

[Freed]

You obviously don't know about cone snails or the dangers associated with them or you wouldn't be turning your nose up at my cautions.

 

[jiggy]

the deadly cone snails r only found in indo-pacific

 

[Freed]

If that is the case then I'm done.

 

[waterfaller1]

I think that is a bad snail, but I cannot remember why.

 

[GregDoug]

I have no idea if its good or bad but here is a thread that might answer it. typically, I know of very few snails (not crabs) that would be harmful in a reef tank.
http://www.reefs.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=142971&sid=635988b287cc6f4b18af4c0be0baafec

By the picture you posted and the beach location, I would say it is a NERITINA (a cleaner and safe for aquarium) even though there are 100's if not 1000's of sub's in this group, good luck finding the one.

 

[RicksReefs]

there are quite a few cone snails found in florida. they're not just indo pacific.

the guy above looks like it may be a type of auger snail.

 

[thor32766]

yes there certainly are cone snails here in florida i have one in a tank I got from bathtub reef.

 

[mfp4073]

All I was saying that if these things are all over the beach in a fairly heavily traveled area by locals and tourists alike then there would be MANY people hurt, injured and such from them. The fact that I have never seen any of this on the news is the reason I am not very worried about them being poisonous, just if they will eat my reef!

 

[waterfaller1]

Auger snail, that's it. I believe they are called "auger" for a reason, as in they will bore into your other snails. I think Brazengirl had one and someone explained why they were bad .

 

[DaveG99]

i am pretty sure if the snail has a snorkel looking thing on it it is a bad snail. Meaning it will eat other snails like conchs do.

 

[cschweitzer]

Nass. vibex have that snorkel type thing(I think it's called a siphon) and they are not bad

 

[waterfaller1]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8011453#post8011453 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by DaveG99
i am pretty sure if the snail has a snorkel looking thing on it it is a bad snail. Meaning it will eat other snails like conchs do.

Conchs don't eat snails...whelks do.

 

[mfp4073]

so do we need better pictures at this point or do we need more discussion?

 

[RicksReefs]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8012636#post8012636 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by waterfaller1
Conchs don't eat snails...whelks do.

unfortunately, some predator snails have received the 'conch' moniker. I.E. crown conch, horse conch, etc.

always make sure your 'algae eating' conch is a true Strombus conch.

 

[RicksReefs]

here's a good place to start in IDing your critter.

http://www.shellmuseum.org/sanibel_shells_pictures.html

 

[mfp4073]

Thanks rick! Thats a good start!

These are the 2 that are closest....the structure of the shell is almost exact, except its a little pointer toward the tip. As the pic shows its also a little darker in coloration.

http://www.shellmuseum.org/Sanibel/shells_vinosa.html

http://www.shellmuseum.org/Sanibel/shells_protexta.html



I also then found this:

http://www.gastropods.com/Taxon_pages/TN_Family_TEREBRIDAE.html


tag......this is pretty damn close:

http://www.jaxshells.org/teb1.htm

After looking at many of these pics its got to be a variety of Terebra /TEREBRIDAE. Which all seem to be carniverious. Anyone got any better ideas or suggestions?