whelk laying eggs

[eric's reef]

I have seen these yellow egg masses twice before in the tank and had no idea what laid them. Well today I caught the mama in the act. What type of whelk is this and more important what do they EAT? I have more pictures if anyone needs more.

I also have this conch/whelk in the tank that after doing some reading I think is a Florida Crown Conch or Crown Whelk? What do you think?

Thanks for your help Eric Gregory

 

[pagojoe]

Hi Eric,

The first snail is Stramonita haemastoma, and is a Murex rather than a whelk. It will eat other molluscs.

http://www.gastropods.com/4/Shell_1904.html

The other is Vasum muricatum. It's in the family Turbinellidae, but belongs to the Murex superfamily. I don't know exactly what they eat, but some turbinellids reportedly eat certain polychaetes, so this one might too (or not).

http://www.gastropods.com/4/Shell_1584.html

Cheers,


Don