snail ident please

[jaded]

In my most excellent sand that I got from Todd I found this fella

hes about 1½ inches long and is so clean and white I must conclude he spends most of his time under gravel

got any ideas? Is it good, bad, indifferent?
http://www.paddletexas.com/images/temp_images/snail.jpg

[brewercm]

Looks like a fighting conch. They are great at keeping your sandbed stirred up since they love to burrow down into it then come back up.

[smelleybrad]

This is what he looks like to me. I just put 60 of them in my tank.

The Nassarius snail is a small scavenger with an oval spiral shell that resembles an olive pit, with a long tube like siphon that protrudes from the end of the shell. One of the most ideal scavengers and detritus eaters, these snails are perfect for the reef aquarium, quickly consuming detritus, uneaten food, decaying organics, and fish waste. Nassarius Snails like to bury themselves in the sand, which will help maintain adequate oxygen levels in the substrate.

[brewercm]

I thought that also, but at 1.5 inches long seems too large for a nassarius. I had several fighting conchs before and they stick their mouth out like an elephants trunk. Matter of fact when they completely bury themselves sometimes the only thing you may see is the mouth sticking out or the eyes which can also protrude quite a bit. Actually they look very much like Gary from Sponge Bob if you've ever seen it other than the shell. That was what my kids called them all, they were Gary snails.

[Ed]

Looks like a Pacific Nassarius snail. They are larger than the more commonly found Vibex and great for your sand bed.

[brewercm]

Just curious then, how big to those snails get. Possibly a better choice than conchs.

[GaryP]

Yes, I have the same Nassarius in my tanks. Its cool to see them all surface like submarines out of the sand bed and charge at a black mussel I have dropped into the tank.

[smelleybrad]

I agree with Ed. N. Obsoleta or whatever it's called.


I have some of those to but all mine are really dark, almost black.

[jaded]

I have 20 nassarius and they are all small and black. this guy is 3 times the size of my other nassarius and it stark white... I'm glad to hear that its something good for the sandbed, just another bonus from the sand!

[GaryP]

The small, dark ones are probably the vibex. They are a lot easier to find at LFS. I know FA has said they have a hard time getting the larger ones.

[smelleybrad]

The small black ones are the obsoleta. Most people refer to them as a type of Nassarius snail. In fact they are a member of the Illynassa species. I have a ton of both in my tank and they both do a great job.

[smelleybrad]

Jade, here is what you have:

Super Tongan Nassarius Snail

The Super Nassarius Snail from Tonga is a small scavenger with an oval spiral shell that resembles an olive pit, and a long tube like siphon that protrudes from the end of the shell. One of the most ideal scavengers and detritus eaters, these snails are perfect for the reef aquarium. They quickly consume detritus, uneaten food, decaying organics, and fish waste. Super Nassarius Snails like to bury themselves in the sand, which will help maintain adequate oxygen levels in the substrate. Among the many species of Nassarius snails, this species is one of the largest.

http://www.fototime.com/1308A3C8F8DB511/standard.jpg

[smelleybrad]

CASE CLOSED! :skeezy

[jaded]

Brad you nailed it!!! Im convinced... that looks like it could be a picture from my tank!!!

Thanks for the help

[smelleybrad]

anytime, let me know when you have a free day so we can put a few down....

[jaded]

Beer??? I'll make time for beer!!! Kayaking tonight in San Marcos if you want to go and watch

[smelleybrad]

I'm on duty tonight but maybe this weekend. I think I erased your number. When you get a chance send it on PM.

[smelleybrad]

Sorry, I forgot who I was talking to. Its Nassarius distortus. :roll

[seamonkey2]

DANG, the ARMY has spoken, silence all, this is the truth :ph34r :ph34r :ph34r
you can't handle the truth

[smelleybrad]

Vibex are the smaller ones...I'm confused on what your trying to say. The Nassarius arcularius is not a very common snail you see at the LFS or online. Who knows, maybe he'll give it to us so we can do tests...lol

[smelleybrad]

Obsoleta

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y21/smelleybrad/IlyanassaObsoleta.jpg

[jaded]

so these hear snails is good???

[smelleybrad]

Ilyanassa obsoleta is the valid classification. The SYNONYM Nassarius obsoletus is invalid and has been for decades. Dr. Ron Shimek

[FSU]

so these hear snails is good???

YES! They're the bigger version of the "preferred" Vibex. Brad is correct on the ID. Wonder how he got it!? :lol :skeezy

[Reef69]

LMAO!!!!!!!..Google?

[FSU]

Why Google when I am a phone call away???

[smelleybrad]

Reef69, thats you favorite place.

[smelleybrad]

The only reason I know is b/c awhile back FSU and I had this discussion and I lost.

[Reef69]

Reef69, thats you favorite place.

Uh Oh..Someone's onto Me..LMAO

[GaryP]

Its not unusual for critters to get reclassified and are given a new name. Apparently this guy was moved from one genus to another.