Snail ID... Conche, Tulip, Whelk?

[BigRedSpecial]

I picked up three "unknown Conches" yesterday, but after observing them, I'm concerned they may be something predatory. The foot is pink on bottom, while the body is red with white 'speckles'. As far as I can tell, there is no mouth as such, and the proboscis seems different... instead of a round opening, it seems to have an elongated slit on the bottom. The Operculum is black.

These are all the pictures I have right now; if need be I can remove them to take pics of the operculum and opening.






I'm concerned that these are predators. I'm yet to see them touch algae, and thus far they've mostly stayed on the glass, and are very slow moving.

 

[extreme5450]

yes they are pred. they love to eat snails. looks like a tulip

 

[BigRedSpecial]

Can anyone else confirm that they are, in fact, Tulips? In that case I'll be able to return them for credit.

 

[DJREEF]

It's kind of hard to tell from the pix, but one easy way to tell - drop a different type of snail in there - if they're predatory they'll make a bee-line for it.

DJ

 

[pagojoe]

Yes, it's Leucozonia nassa, subspecies/form leucozonalis. It's a predatory fasciolariid, in the same family with the Tulips.

http://www.gastropods.com/7/Shell_1937.shtml

Cheers,



Don

 

[BigRedSpecial]

Thanks Don (and Extreme). I tossed them in a HOB filter for the night to keep them away from non-meals; tomorrow they'll go back.