Nassarius snails disappeared!

[zhuzh]

I have a 17g nano. A few days ago I put 3 nassarius snails and 3 turbo snails in there. All turbos are alive and well, eating my algae; but nassarius just disappeared from view completely. No sign of them whatsoever, no sand stirred, nothing. Could they have buried in the sand and died? Or maybe they're just having a break? What should I do?

 

[Lev F.]

They bury themselves in the sand in daylight and come out at night. You might not see them for weeks.

 

[yeldarbj]

Try dropping a food pellet or two (or even some flake food). Mine all emerge from the sand bed as soon as they sense food in the tank.

 

[chocolateblnt]

They are detrivores so they'll bury and fight detritus in your sand bed!

 

[zhuzh]

Thanks everyone.

 

[RicksReefs]

Nassarius vibex don't do a thing for detritus, they're strictly carrion eaters.

 

[chocolateblnt]

.. really? I read somewhere that they will eat detritus as alternate supplement as well.

 

[RicksReefs]

true N. vibex only eat carrion. Illyanassa obsoleta, which is sometimes marketed as a vibex or vibex alternative, will mess around in the detritus, looking like they're eating it, but they're more likely hunting down pods and other critters.

http://web.archive.org/web/20010410...ibrary/articleview2.asp?Section=&RecordNo=166

 

[chocolateblnt]

Gotcha thanks for the link Rick!

 

[bsthom01]

My nassarius also come out when I feed the tank. Currently either frozen mysis or formula one flake. I have several different sizes and they all seem to come out and forage for food. I see them bypass most of the detritus in the tank looking for food... Hope this means that they are true vibex species.