Nassaurius snails

[Betaktical]

Are the nass snails the only kind of snail that buries itself in the sand? For as long as I've had my tank I've only ever had one nass snail so I don't think it has a mate and all my live Rock has been in the tank a while. But I noticed a lot of babies lately coming out of the substrate at feeding time. Not sure what kind of snails they are. I can get pics of need be

 

[jlmawp]

There are others that are larger. Cone snails (predatory), and olive snails (not as predatory) are a couple of examples, albeit much harder to keep alive.

 

[AlSimmons]

A picture would definitely help.

 

[Betaktical]

 

[Betaktical]

Sorry for the crappy quality

 

[Betaktical]

All the shells look just like that too but the range in size from about 1/4" to almost 3/4" from the ones I have seen

 

[ethuman]

I have certh snails that burry themselves in the sand

 

[Betaktical]

So if it does help they have one extra long tentacle they extend while they're feeding. I saw 3 more with the long tentacle reaching as they were eating on the glass. Any thoughts on ID?

 

[Reef Guy 04]

It looks like a Netted Whelk (Nassarius Reticulatus) by the netted shell and siphon. Cerinth snails don't have a siphon. Not much info out there on them, but seen to have similar behavior as the Tongan Nassarius and get get fairly large.

 

[Betaktical]

It looks like a Netted Whelk (Nassarius Reticulatus) by the netted shell and siphon. Cerinth snails don't have a siphon. Not much info out there on them, but seen to have similar behavior as the Tongan Nassarius and get get fairly large.

Thanks I will look them up in a second. I haven't found anything about the snails when I look them up so it makes it hard to distinguish between friend and foe. This is my first experience with baby snails so I'm not exactly sure what to look for lol all I know is they bury and have one long tentacle

 

[Betaktical]

I should also mention these guys crawl/slither extremely fast. Way faster than any of my other snails that I've had

 

[Reef Guy 04]

Fast moving, burrowing, and long siphon (tenticle) are all characteristics of Nassarius snails. The main difference between the Tongan and Netted Dog Whelk is the style of their shells. Like the Tongan, the are primarily scavengers and detritus eaters. Should have a deep enough sand bed for them to borrow.

 

[Betaktical]

Fast moving, burrowing, and long siphon (tenticle) are all characteristics of Nassarius snails. The main difference between the Tongan and Netted Dog Whelk is the style of their shells. Like the Tongan, the are primarily scavengers and detritus eaters. Should have a deep enough sand bed for them to borrow.

Awesome. Thanks for the help

 

[Reef Guy 04]

No problem.

 

[zClassified]

I have the same thing happen to my tank! Its pretty cool to see them all grow and produce!