Snail ID

[Humongous]

I have many of these in my sump, they never get larger than .5". Is it a whelk? I recently connected my clam tank to the common sump so I'm concerned that they may attack the clams. In my main display they usually only come out at night and immediately head for the algae clips to feast on leftovers.

 

[timthetoolman]

I don't think it is.
Pick it up and turn it upside down and see if there is a plate that covers the foot that folds in when he retracts like this photo. It's the black shield like plate with the tan trim.

Also the probosus, or whatever it is, has stripes like a zebra.

 

[pagojoe]

It's a little odd-looking, and it's obviously related to the whelks, but I think it's a Dove Snail (columbellid). It's probably either genus Pyrene or Pardalina, and may be a variation of Pardalina testudinaria, or maybe Pyrene punctata.

http://www.gastropods.com/3/Shell_3133.html
http://www.gastropods.com/9/Shell_1439.html

Not sure what it eats, but it shouldn't be a clam.

Cheers,



Don

 

[pagojoe]

Tim's snail is a true buccinid whelk, and one of the bad guys, to aquarists. It's Cantharus fumosus.

Cheers again,



Don

 

[Humongous]

Thanks for the help guys!
I'll keep an eye out just in case.