Snail ID

[jrp1588]

Found this little bugger on one of my rocks today. Anyone have any ideas?

He's about a quarter inch long

 

[pagojoe]

Yes, it's a Volvarina species, in the Marginellia family. There are several similar species, and you'd just about have to know where it originated to be certain of the ID. They are predator/scavengers, somewhat like Nassarius in their habits, but they may also kill and eat other tiny animals in your tank. One isn't a problem, but a whole herd of them might thin out the life in your sandbed.

http://www.gastropods.com/1/Shell_2281.shtml
http://www.gastropods.com/0/Shell_2150.shtml
http://www.gastropods.com/2/Shell_10572.shtml
http://www.gastropods.com/Taxon_pages/TN_Family_MARGINELLIDAE_MARGINELLINAE_PRUNINI.shtml

Cheers,




Don

 

[jrp1588]

hmm, neat. I ended up squishing him just in case. thanks