Hey Guys... A little Nas Snail FYI

[Tswifty]

I thought I would share a recent experience...

I ordered a fairly large group of Nassarius Snails from Blue Zoo Aquatics a month or so back.

Nassarius Snail Link

Anyway, I added a small T. Crocea clam to my tank a few days ago, and originally placed it up in the rockwork, where it was unhappy and quickly tried to dive to the sandbed. I repositioned the clam on the sandbed this morning where it seemed much happier, but noticed the small Nassarius snails began to pay extra special attention to it.

After brushing them aside for about the 3rd time, I thought it may be time to worry. Further investigation revealed that they were actually whelks, and that this mixed up offering from retailers is not that uncommon of an occurrence.

Apparently these little suckers can take out a clam in just a few hours, or overnight when the unsuspecting reefer is fast asleep.

Here are some helpful tips to differentiate the two (although I gotta tell ya... it's really stinkin hard), and an article on them.

Difference between a Whelk and a Nassarius Snail

Whelk Article

 

[Tswifty]

Here's the pics of the little guys I pulled out of the tank... you can see how hard it is to tell... I'm guessing the majority are whelks so I'm going to pull them all out. Too risky to let a $0.63 snail take out a $40.00 clam.

 

[vietcu]

Now I have to look closer at my nassarius, thanks for the heads up. altough I only have a few in my tank, they are really small to try to differentiate the two.

 

[oceanparadise1]

are u going to get ur money back or the right snails?

 

[Tswifty]

I don't know, I'm going to give them a call, and hopefully they will do something. If you read the description it is pretty vague at best, and describes traits that are seen in both Nassarius Snails and Whelks.

Also they have this little line at the bottom of the page:
* Due to availability and individuality of each species, colors and sizes may vary.

I'm not too optimistic, but plan on at least giving them a call tomorrow.

 

[oceanparadise1]

hopefully u can get ur money back or at least some store credit!

 

[PhilipOSU]

This is interesting TJ. It means that I have the same in both of my tanks!! I was actually having some issues this past week with my sand bed not keeping clean enough in my small tank at my office. A couple of people on here suggested I get 7-10 Tonga Nassarius snails and I was considering placing another order with Blue Zoo for these. Obviously I am now second guessing this.

Phil

 

[Tswifty]

I doubt there could be a mix up with the Super Tonga Nassarius snails, as they are pretty large, and they have a distinct look to them.

I'm going to call them after lunch, and see what they say. More than likely I'll be shooting you a PM or call afterwards, because I need to get some sand sifters back into the tank to replace the 20 I removed.

If they don't offer at least a discount on the order based on the whelk situation, then I will order through a different site.

 

[PhilipOSU]

Sounds good TJ just let me know.

 

[oceanparadise1]

yea let me know to i want to know if htey take care of u or not

 

[Dtip]

That sucks. I've actually lost some of my nas snails to hermits recently and was thinking of getting more now that the hermits have been relocated. But it's always worrisome with this species because unless you can pick them out yourself, getting either a whelk or an obseleta is a real possibility (sort of like with peppermints getting misidentified).

While nas are great fun to watch and great at cleaning up dropped meat, I've actually found the lighter thinner cerith snails to be better sand stirrers: they're much bigger and cruise through better.

Ho hum, decisions...

 

[Tswifty]

OK.. I just got off the phone with BlueZoo and they are saying that I need to write up a claim describing what they shipped me versus the description, and they will review it and get back to me within 3 to 5 days.

I don't think it looks good, because they are now calling what I ordered "onyx nassarius snails" or at least on the phone they are which is not mentioned anywhere on the website.

So I'm going to write something up tonight and we'll see what happens.

 

[Dtip]

On their website they list them here
http://www.bluezooaquatics.com/productDetail.asp?cid=82&pid=1141&did=2

But they call them Ilyanassa which in my understanding is generally not the preferred kind in any case (Nas. vibex is). The advantage of Ilyanassa is that they eat algae in a pinch which vibex won't. The disadvantage is that they don't do well in reef tank temps and "burn out." They are also known eaters of sand bed fauna, which is generally undesirable.

Article on them here:
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-11/mg/index.php

Of course, neither of these species are whelks (and those do look more like whelks), but if they do agree to send replacements, you probably want these guys instead:

http://www.bluezooaquatics.com/productDetail.asp?did=2&pid=1140&cid=82

 

[PhilipOSU]

TJ,

I just went back into our order and here is exactly what I found - Nassarius Snail, .25"-.5", Eastern Pacific

It was order # 750759. Feel free to call me this evening to discuss this.

Phil
614.306.9541

 

[sohal1025]

Well that explains what happened to my Max. Snail!!!!!

 

[socalchris]

I'd like to revive this thread. I also revived another older thread about Ilyanassa and/or Whelks. I haven't found too many threads about this, but I think it's starting to become a serious issue. Recently, I was sold some "nass" snails that killed a week old Maxima clam. See the pics below.

I really hope we can gather some more information and instances where Ilyanassa were detrimental to the tank because it seems like people are still selling these as Nass snails.

BTW: I just recently ordered more nass snails from another vendor and guess what...they look like Ilyanassa's AGAIN!!! Two places within a month seems like too much to me...I think we should all do something about it...

 

[Tswifty]

Sorry to hear that... I agree that it is a bigger problem than most think. Also, there is very little accurate information available to classify or identify a predatory snail versus the reef safe variety.

Due to my initial loss, I will only add the Super Tongan (white) variety to my tank from now on.

It looks like I never updated the thread, but a month or so ago Blue Zoo Aquatics shipped me a T.Maxima as a replacement for the T. Crocea I lost.

 

[socalchris]

I also plan on only sticking to the white ones. I have had them before and they have never seemed to be predatory.

That's very great customer service from Blue Zoo.

 

[Tonycip]

I heard the Nassarius Snails burry themselfs in the sand and the whelks never do.heres How I tell ,I take 1 throw it in the middle of a streath of sand and watch what they do .the Nassarius Snails will go right under.. my 2 cents..

 

[socalchris]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15114849#post15114849 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Tonycip
I heard the Nassarius Snails burry themselfs in the sand and the whelks never do.heres How I tell ,I take 1 throw it in the middle of a streath of sand and watch what they do .the Nassarius Snails will go right under.. my 2 cents..

Tony, that's a great observation.

Now that you mentioned that, I also noticed that my TRUE Nass Vibex ALWAYS remained under the sand until feeding times, or until they just went to "clean up."

The Ilyanassa's or whelks seemed to vary. Some would go under the sand, and some might stick to the glass to sleep.

I've never seen a true Nass Vibex in my tank sleep on the glass or anywhere that's not under the sand.