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FAQs about Marine Snail Identification
20 Related Articles:
Gastropods, Sea Slugs, Mollusks, Abalone,
Related FAQs: Snail ID 1,
Snail ID 2, Snail
ID 3, Snail ID 4,
Snail ID 5, Snail ID 6,
Snail ID 7, Snail ID 8,
Snail ID 9, Snail ID 10,
Snail ID 11, Snail ID 12,
Snail ID 13, Snail ID 14,
Snail ID 15, Snail ID 16, Snail ID 17,
Snail ID 18,
Snail ID 19, &
Marine Snails 1, Marine Snails 2, Marine
Snails 3, Invertebrate ID,
Snail Behavior, Snail Selection,
Snail Compatibility, Snail Systems,
Snail Feeding, Snail Disease,
Snail Reproduction, Mollusks, Sea
Slugs, Abalone, |
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Hoof limpet
- 11/07/09
Hello,
I have attached a picture of what I believe to be Hipponicidae sp.
residing on the back of one of my snails!
<Looks like it!>
I have 'Googled' around and found some supporting information but
wondered whether this was a true example of symbiosis
<Mmm, of a sort... I'd label this animal as a "space parasite"... as the
"host" appears to be harmed to a degree, and definitely doesn't seem to
benefit from the Limpet>
or just an accident. The forked proboscis (if that's the right term)
extends significantly from the shell during feeding as it picks around
the areas that the snail is grazing so I assume is diet is basically the
same.
I not been able to narrow down to species level but suspect that it is a
harmless hitchhiker as the 'host' seems to be unaffected.
<Mmm... I don't know... having something so large, heavy on ones
shell...>
I found it interesting and have not seen any similar pictures on the web
so wondered whether you would be interested too.
<Yes. Thank you for sharing>
Forgive my ignorance if it is actually common and I'm just bad at web
searches but if it is unusual I can think of no better place to share
it.
Your site has helped me a great deal over the years and continues to be
my favourite reference as the reliability and accuracy of information
here is in my humble opinion, above question.
Many Thanks,
Chris
<Welcome Chris! Bob Fenner>
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Unknown Gastropod Eating Starfish: Possible Snail Predation
and/or Dying Sand-Sifting Star – 10/14/09
Crew,
<Hello Aaron, Lynn here this morning.>
This morning I woke up to find this guy with his stomach extruded
dissolving my sand sifting starfish.
<Interestingly enough, these snails don’t actually extrude their
stomachs like we’re used to seeing with sea stars. Instead, they use a
proboscis which is basically a mouth on the end of a flexible trunk
that’s used to tear away/remove bits of flesh. It's still not good
though, to wake up seeing a snail apparently dining on your sea star -
no matter the method!>
This guy was a tiny hitchhiker on a piece of live rock I purchased three
years ago and has grown to about 2.5" long.
<Wow>
He has a long trunk similar to a conch, but much skinnier. He only comes
out at night.
<Looks/sounds whelk or whelk-like.>
He has co-existed with the starfish for about two years without
incident. As you can see, he completely consumed one of the starfish's
arms, and severed another.
<Yikes! I can’t help but wonder if the star wasn’t doing well and the
snail was simply scavenging on dying flesh – or getting a head start on
a star that was on the way out. These stars are very difficult to keep
and can take a surprisingly long time to starve to death. What size
system do you have?>
I threw him in my sump/refugium.
<Can’t blame you there – better safe than sorry!>
The starfish seems to still be alive. Do you think it will live? Will
its arms regenerate?
<Given otherwise good health, good water quality, lack of predation,
ample food and time, hopefully so.>
Can you identify the predacious gastropod?
<Possibly so, but I’d need several good/detailed photos and the location
of origin (where the live rock came from). Photos should include at
least one of the underneath portion of the snail (where the opening is
located), one of the opposite/top side, and if possible, one showing the
snail crawling around (in water) so I can see the soft tissue (foot and
any other anatomy including the operculum/trapdoor).>
(FYI, the stringy thing on the gastropod's shell is a tube worm, not the
trunk)
<Thanks, any and all information you can give me is helpful!>
Is there any benefit to keeping him?
<I’ll be able to tell you more when I know exactly what it is.>
Does he also eat detritus or algae,
<Ditto above>
..or has he just been grazing on copepods and worms that live inside the
live rock
<It’s possible that he’s survived so far by scavenging leftover food
remnants. If he indeed attacked a healthy sea star, it’s possible that
he’s not been able to find enough food and is going after the most
easily accessible source. Supplemental feedings could help discourage
this from happening again, but I wouldn’t bet on it.>
..by extruding his stomach and eating those also? Could he be the reason
I have had zero luck with anemones?
<Shouldn’t be>
Will he eat corals?
<I doubt it but, again, I’ll know more when I can determine exactly what
it is.>
Thanks! You guys are awesome.
<Sorry I couldn’t give you a concrete ID! Do please send along more
photos if/when you get the chance. In the meantime, I’d leave the little
fellow in the sump and away from the display. You might try tossing it a
bit of fish, shrimp, etc., and watch its reaction. I’m betting this guy
is a predator/scavenger and will likely react pretty quickly to a bit of
food. I’d also keep an eye on that poor star. Watch for holes in the
center and signs of further disintegration. I suspect the poor thing may
have been on the way out and the snail was simply acting on an
opportunity to feed. Please see the WWM FAQ’s regarding these stars for
more information. Start with the following link (see related links at
top of page as well): http://www.wetwebmedia.com/sndsftstrdis.htm>
Aaron Chandler
<Take care, LynnZ>
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What Are These? Likely Nassarius Species - 10/9/09
Hi,
<Hi there, Lynn here this afternoon.>
Can you help me out?
<I’ll sure try.>
Before I put these in my tank! lol
<Heee! I’ll hurry!>
These were sent to me as Tongan Nassarius snails.
<Uh-oh. That’s the trouble with common names. They’re not specific!>
They look like whelks or something not good.
<I can understand your thinking. I’d be concerned as well. Nassarius
snails and whelks can indeed resemble each other. Both are in the same
superfamily, Buccinoidea. The good news is that, as we know from
experience, not all in this large group are a danger to the other
snails, etc., we keep in our tanks. The most commonly kept Nassarius
species are beneficial scavengers, living the majority of their lives
buried in the sand until feeding time, when they erupt en masse. That’s
not to say that all Nassarius are harmless, though. The larger species
in particular can pose a significant a threat if they’re not supplied
with enough readily available food.>
These are NOT what the picture in their ad showed and NOTHING like my
AUTHENTIC Tongans. (see picture below this one to see mine).These are
mine and these are Tongan.....
<Yes, they’re not what I’m used to seeing tagged as Super Tongan snails
either, but again, that’s the problem with common names. The snails you
received most closely resemble Nassarius margaritiferus, or Nassarius
margaritifer depending on the source. They’re commonly called a
“Margarite Nassa” snail. Now, the big question of the day is whether
these will be well-behaved and not eat their fellow snail tankmates.
Unfortunately, I honestly can’t answer that with any certainty. It could
go either way. They’re almost certainly scavengers but whether they’ll
attack your other snails is up in the air. You can either release them,
keep them fed and keep an eye out for trouble, or perhaps put them in
another tank, feed them as usual for a couple of days, then add a snail
and see what happens. If they go after the poor thing, get it out of
there before it’s killed. For more information/photos, please see the
following links:
http://www.gastropods.com/3/Shell_3313.shtml
More photos so you can see the variation:
http://www.conchology.be/?t=27&family=NASSARIIDAE&species=Nassarius%20margaritifer
Take care and good luck, LynnZ>
Part 2: What Are These? Likely
Nassarius Species - 10/9/09
Hi,
<Hello, Lynn here again.>
Here are more of the "Nassarius" snails.
<Excellent photos!>
I tried to find something about how to tell the difference between the
Tongan and these "TONGAN" impostors. They have a thing that looks like can
seal themselves up in a watertight type door (not the reddish brown "door"
on the right).
<Called an operculum>
My REAL Tongan Nassarius snails, I have NEVER seen inside their shells. A
LOT of their body is WAY out in the open.
<They can seal themselves inside.>
So are these whelks and should I flush them?
<No! Even if you do find that these snails won’t work in your tank, please
try to find them another home (perhaps at a LFS). Please see previous email
and check photos for comparison. Take care, LynnZ>
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Part 3: What Are These? Likely
Nassarius Species - 10/9/09
<Hello again>
I found this link below:
http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/mollusca/gastropoda/nassariidae/livescens.htm
<Yes, I believe the species shown (see photos in the bottom group) is the
same one I linked in the original message: Nassarius margaritiferus, a
common specie in the Philippines. The fact that they refer to it, at that
site, with the common name “whelk” doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s a
snail killer. It may or may not be.>
Scroll down to the NOT REEF SAFE on this link.... we have a winner!!!!.....
http://www.chucksaddiction.com/Hitchsnails.html
<Ah yes, my friend in the Philippines – great guy! I don’t see a photo of
your snail at his link but the term “not reef safe” is used there to
indicate the fact that Nassarius snails (even those you already have) can
and do eat the beneficial little critters within sand-beds. In that respect,
they are not reef-safe. Are they safe with other snails? Maybe.>
Now here are the snails I have.... yeah, teeth like bumps on the
opening!!!!! In the Nassarius family yet, but not the "dog whelks" that are
safe like mine.
<Heeee! Don’t get me started again on common names! LynnZ>
Part 4: What Are These? Likely Nassarius Species - 10/9/09
Well, I think I have found my answer......
<Yay!>
Excerpt from Reefkeeping.com article by Ronald Shimek PhD
"These problems notwithstanding, it is generally pretty easy to determine if
a snail is a whelk. Whelk shells are generally biconical or broadly
fusiform. Their aperture is typically oval. The animals typically, but not
always, have an operculum on the back of their foot which plugs the aperture
when the animal withdraws into its shell. If such an operculum is present,
it is made of protein and typically is brown, golden or black; and it is
never calcareous and round, but rather oval, crescent-shaped or somewhat
"leaf-shaped."
Whelks always have a siphonal canal with an anterior siphonal notch.
The notch is generally quite distinctive, although the canal may be short
and twisted. All other sculpturing is variable and dependent upon at least
species, and maybe upon environment."
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-11/rs/index.php
<Thank you, that’s very informative! LynnZ>
Part 5: What Are These? Likely Nassarius Species - 10/9/09
<Hi>
"FLUSH" is a relative term!
<Whew, that’s good! You had me going there for a sec!>
lol Here in Las Vegas they would not survive,
<Not in freshwater, that’s for sure!>
..but I do NOT want to give them to someone and have them harm their
charges.
<No, you would never want to give them to anyone without full disclosure.
You could, however, offer them to a LFS. I’d explain the situation and see
what they say. They might be able to take them off your hands, or even offer
you some sort of credit/exchange.>
The REAL SUPER Tongan.... NEVER, I mean NEVER have I see them close up in
their shell.
<I understand. You may have never seen them close up all the way, but they
can. All of these snails have an operculum and can seal themselves within
their shell. Sometimes that operculum can be hard to see, though! In your
Super Tongan photo, if you take a look at the individual on the right,
you’ll see a small light brown operculum towards the end of the foot. If
push came to shove, the snail would pull in on itself and close up shop.
Snails use their operculum mainly as a defense against predation and
desiccation/drying out. In the normal course of grazing/traveling about
without threat, there’s no need for them to close up. The only time I’ve
ever seen any of my snails close up is if they’re in trouble (ailing or
dead) or feeling threatened.>
If they tried, it took a while, but they try to flop over and slither first.
The whelks pull in QUICKLY like these.
<…>
Yeah operculum... I was being "general" for layman reasons.
<That’s perfectly understandable. I just wanted you to have the term in case
you wanted to look it up. Snails are fascinating creatures. Some have a
thin/flexible operculum like what we see in this group of snails, while
others have a thickened, calcareous version. Conchs actually have a
claw-like operculum that they use to aid in locomotion. It’s not exactly
graceful, but it works!>
Nonetheless, I will not be adding them to my tank......
<Can’t say I blame you!>
SIDE question... Can Halichoeres (Clown wrasse) wrasses decimate a
copepod/amphipod population in a tank? I have always had fairy wrasses
<Love fairy wrasses!>
..and though they would eat them here and there, there would always be
plenty on the rocks.
<I think the wrasse would nab what it could, but there would always be nooks
and crannies for the ‘pods to hide. Be sure to check out Bob’s page on his
pick for the three best candidates:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/halichoeresbestart.htm >
Thanks
<You’re very welcome. –LynnZ>
Part 6: What Are These? Likely Nassarius Species - 10/9/09
Hi,
<Hello>
Sorry I have to disagree about the ones I have eating stuff in the sand.
<No problem. I’m not always right and individuals can differ.>
They go under and stay in the SAME SPOT until I put in some fish flesh.
<Sounds like they’re trained! It also sounds like they’re very well fed,
which is terrific.>
THAT being said, there ARE species of Nassarius that are not good for the
sand bed. Plus if they were, my water quality would be shaky, so no, these I
have... my true TONGAN or NASSARIUS DISTORTUS are perfectly suited.
<I’m glad to hear that.>
I had a Sand Sifting Star fish that ATE everything in my sand bed,
<It happens, yes.>
..causing serious water quality issues.... that was when I FIRST had a tank
years and years ago and the dope at the LFS said I should get that Sea star!
<Not good>
He knew my tank was only 55 gallons. So my experience with a dead sand bed
in the past would indicate that My N. distortus are fine.
<Good to hear.>
Oddly Nassarius are part of the whelk family, but not destructive in
attacking other snails.
<That’s right for the most part. I’ve heard the occasional report of a Super
Tongan snail attacking others but I’ve never had any problems with mine.
Perhaps the snails were starving or perhaps the person had another snail
entirely that they called a "Super Tongan".>
I have never seen mine go near any other creature in the tank.... in fact
they get bumped by something and they go under the sand!
<Heee! It sounds like you’ve got some good snails! Take care, LynnZ>
Part 7: What Are These? Likely Nassarius Species - 10/9/09
<Hello>
Okay, is that other thing that is pink, the think they use to kill other
snails etc, with?
<If the animal is indeed a snail killer then, yes, it would use its
proboscis/mouth (the pink thing) to kill/rip tissue from its prey. It’s also
used by non-snail killers as well, like Nassarius vibex. The proboscis is
basically a flexible trunk with a mouth on the end. The dark thing you see
sticking up is the siphon. It's used for breathing as well as for scenting
prey/food. You can’t see it in the photo, but at the base of the each
“cephalic” tentacle, you should be able to see an eye. Here’s a good link
regarding whelk/snail anatomy that you might find interesting:
http://webs.lander.edu/rsfox/invertebrates/busycon.html >
It was about 1" LONG before I took the picture.
<The snail’s probably hungry and testing the Styrofoam!>
What are your thoughts on that?
<I think it’s a great photo - thanks! Take care, LynnZ> |
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ID for Snail in Dailies - 10/05/2009
Hi Bob,
<Amazing Lynn>
The snail in the photo today looks like something in the genus
Babylonia, which depending on where you look, is usually either assigned
to the family Babyloniidae, or Buccinidae. Here's an example of one:
http://www.gastropods.com/1/Shell_11.shtml
Main page with others in this family:
http://www.gastropods.com/Taxon_pages/TN_Family_BABYLONIIDAE.shtml
<Ahh, Babylonia zeylanica... does look like this>
Do you have any other photos of this little guy?
<I do not>
If so, and if you can tell me where it's from, I should be able to
narrow it down further.
<... a fish store>
Take care,
-Lynn
<Thank you dear. BobF>
snail ID - 10/05/2009
Hi everyone,
the snail in today's pic of the day is a Buccinulum corneum as far as I can
see. They live in the sand, are predatory and are sometimes used for
controlling bristle worms.
Alex
<Ahh! Thank you Alex. Bob Fenner>
Re: snail ID
Bob,
I just took a second look - it might as well be some Babylonia species (also
from the Buccinidae family). They do look pretty much alike as far as
siphons etc. go. A good reference is
http://www.nmr-pics.nl/Buccinidae/album/index.html
in this regard.
Alex
<Yes... my best guess is Babylonia zeylanica.
BobF>
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Re: ID for Snail in Dailies -
10/05/2009
Right back at you, Amazing Bob!
<Heeee!>
You're most welcome. Those are neat-looking little snails, but I wouldn't
trust them around other Molluscs. They're predators and scavengers. Also, I
didn't mention in the previous mail, but the common name is Babylon or
Babylonia snail and I've seen them available from time to time on the 'net
and locally. Woe be it, though, to the person who puts one in their tank
without knowing the possible consequences!
Take care,
-Lynn
<Be chatting! BobF> |
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Please Help with an ID: Strombid - Conch 10/5/09
Dear Crew,
<Hello Justin, Lynn here today.>
A few months ago we were at a new LFS in our area. My wife has a
fascination with conchs, and when she saw these really interesting spiny
shelled "conchs", she just had to have one. The only problem was, this
particular "conch" as we were sold was a murex snail.
<Oops, Murex can have exquisitely beautiful, ornate shells, but they're
predators.>
Well after a few months, we finally saw the snail feeding on our
fighting conch.
<Ouch>
It was too late for him, and we proceeded to remove the snail to a 5g
tank by himself (my wife couldn't bring herself to get rid of it).
<Good for her!>
Anyway I got in contact with the LFS, and they did in fact apologize and
offer to replace our conch for their mistake.
<Wow, that’s a well-run store.>
Apparently these snails were labeled as "conchs" when they came in.
Anyway we went back yesterday to get a replacement conch, and we got
some kind of what I believe to be a snail that they said was a conch,
and promised it was. Now I am no conch expert, but to me, this really
doesn't look like any conch I have seen available in the trade.
<There are many varieties and appearance can vary quite a bit within a
given species.>
I was hoping if I could get some help, since I have already had one
predatory snail, I don't really care to have another.
<I can certainly understand that. From what I can see, you do indeed
have another conch – something within the family Strombidae (“true”
conchs). Unfortunately, given the number of possibilities, and not
knowing the location of origin, I can’t narrow it down any further. My
guess is that it’s probably one of the Florida or West Indies species,
but again, with the degree of variation in color, presence/shape/size of
spines/knobs, etc., it’s hard to pin down which. It also appears that
your poor little snail received some rough treatment/wear at some point,
whether (naturally) in the wild or in transit. Note the broken tip of
the spire and worn appearance of some of the protuberances. Please see
the following link for more information and comparison (also take note
of links within regarding specific species):
http://z14.invisionfree.com/Conchologist_Forum/index.php?showtopic=1230
More photos of this family here (worldwide species):
http://www.gastropods.com/Taxon_pages/TN_Family_STROMBIDAE_STROMBINAE.shtml
http://www.idscaro.net/sci/01_coll/plates/gastro/pl_strombidae_4.htm
One thing of note is that you don’t usually see conchs up on the glass
or rocks; they normally hang out on or within the sandbed. However,
apparently this sort of behavior isn’t uncommon in juveniles/smaller
individuals. I also need to give you a heads-up if you plan to continue
researching this little snail. There’s been quite a bit of taxonomic
change in this family so depending on where you look, you’ll find the
same snail species listed under several different genera. For instance,
I’ve seen a queen conch referred to anything from Strombus gigas to
Lobatus gigas or Eustrombus gigas. It makes for some confusion, so be
ready!>
Thanks Crew!!
<You’re very welcome! Enjoy your new addition!>
Justin
<Take care, LynnZ>
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Snail Removed From Main Tank/Querior Did Not Reply To
Original Thread 9/30/09
Salty Dog,
<Victoria>
Thanks for the advice. I removed the suspect snail from my tank and have
taken a picture. Hope the picture comes attached to this email.
<I've asked Lynn, our resident ID expert for her thoughts on this snail.
Her reply is below.>
Hi James,
I just took a look at the little fellow...looks like another predatory
whelk of some sort (superfamily: Buccinoidea). If she wants to pursue an
ID, ask her to send along a couple of good close up photos (one showing
the top surface of the snail, one from underneath showing the opening
and lip)
along with any other pertinent info (size, location of origin).
Otherwise, she can look through the thumbnails at the following links:
http://www.gastropods.com/Taxon_pages/SuperFamily_BUCCINOIDEA.shtml
I'd start with this family: Buccinidae Pisaniinae (same as the last
query):
http://www.gastropods.com/Taxon_pages/TN_Family_BUCCINIDAE_PISANIINAE.shtml
As for the snails dying, I'd want to know what kind they were, whether
she had any hermits, whether all her snails were dying or the ones she
just recently bought and added, whether the snail shells were left in a
pile near the rockwork (possible mantis shrimp), what her parameters
are, etc, etc, blah, blah, blah.
Hope that helps! Take care,
-Lynn
Thank you again for your time.
<You're welcome. James (Salty Dog)>
Victoria
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Snail ID: Whelk – 9/26/09
Hi Lynn,
<Hi James>
Can you take a look at the query I answered. I'd like your input on a
snail ID.
<Sure thing>
The query is in the draft folder.
<Now I see the photo - thanks! It does indeed look like a Buccinid/Whelk
of some sort. If Candy would like to pursue an ID, I’d be happy to help
but would need a bit more information. I’d need a good close-up showing
the underneath portion (including the opening and lip of the shell), as
well as the size and where the snail originated (doesn’t have to be
exact - even a general idea would be helpful). Based on what I see right
now, it might be something in the family Buccinidae Pisaniinae. Here’s a
link with photos for Candy to compare (just bear in mind that
color/pattern can vary to a surprising degree):
http://www.gastropods.com/Taxon_pages/TN_Family_BUCCINIDAE_PISANIINAE.shtml
>
Thank you much,
<Always a pleasure, James.>
James
<Take care, LynnZ>
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Re Can You Help Me Know Which He Is?/Snail ID
9/28/09
<Hello Candy>
Thank you
<And Lynn>
for all the hard work with identifying the snail.
<You're welcome.>
I caught him and put him an a different tank where he will not be able
to eat my "good" snails. I have not been able to find him again to take
more pictures to help identify him more, but I feel comfortable where he
is at now.
Thank you for the snail information and I will be sure to learn as much
as I can. I truly appreciate everything.
<You're welcome. James (Salty Dog)
With Love,
Candy Albertson
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Yellow Mobile Unknown Hitchhiker
9/10/09
Hello,
<Howsit?>
I have a very colorful hitchhiker that showed up about 3 months ago. It
was smaller than a pencil eraser at that time but over the months it has
grown to about the size of a quarter. It does move around on the rocks,
not very fast but fast enough to make me look for him every morning and
evening. He is circular and mostly flat, except in the center. Looks to
be a mouth but I'm just guessing at that. I took a photo this evening
and
as I was focusing, it spit out a white speck from the "supposed" mouth.
Is this something beneficial or is it harmful to my reef aquarium.
<More the former... I think this is the Limpet Lucapina aegis. Bob
Fenner>
Thank You
Beth
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Re: Yellow Mobile Unknown Hitchhiker
9/10/09
Hello Again,
<Waking up now!>
After months of looking for the name of this hitchhiker, I finally ask for
assistance in identification and of course, in the meantime, I keep looking
for the answer. I used a different search engine and different key words and
I think that I found the id. Is the answer Keyhole Limpet?
Thank You,
Beth
<A different Limpet (Thrumm!). BobF>Re: Yellow Mobile
Unknown Hitchhiker 9/10/09
Morning Bob,
<And you Beth>
Grab a cup of coffee and wake up.
<Am trying>
Just got your note, I am assuming the "different limpet" means that I have
the wrong species?,
<Mmm, yes... but such are the dangers of common appellations>
I was going to go with Fleshy Limpet but the information I found states that
these are Keyhole Limpets as well.
<"You say tomatoe"... Megathura is the genus of our (Calif.) Keyhole...>
However, the information also states that they are about the size of a
shield limpet or smaller. I have a shield limpet and my yellow limpet is
much bigger than the shield limpet.
Of course you could be stating that it is just a unusual looking limpet.
In which case, I totally agree.
I am getting conflicting information about limpets and cannot decide if they
are beneficial or harmful. Do you have any thoughts about the benefits or
harm that they can cause to coral and or live rock?
Thanks Again,
<... Please read on WWM re such Archeogastropods.... BobF>
re: Yellow Mobile Unknown Hitchhiker 9/10/09
Morning Bob,
<Still?>
Please ignore last post. I read your response to my second post and did not
see your answer to my original inquiry until a few minutes ago. Yahoo sent
it to my Spam folder.
Thanks
Beth
<Velkommen! B>
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Cone Shell Snail? Nope, Likely Marginellid – 9/5/09
<Hello Ron, Lynn here today.>
I finally managed to catch this little guy that I've seen now and then.
<What a little beauty!>
It looks a bit like a cone shell snail to me but a more expert opinion
would be great.
<It does indeed look a bit like a cone snail (family: Conidae), or even
a type of olive (family: Olividae), but the shape/thickened outer area
of the lip is inconsistent with either group. It appears to be what’s
commonly called a Marginella, or “margin” shell (family: Marginellidae).
If your snail originated anywhere from the coast of North Carolina to
Florida, the Gulf of Mexico, West Indies or Mexico, it’s most likely
Prunum apicinum (aka the Common Atlantic Marginella). These beautiful
little shallow water snails only reach around 14mm (just over half an
inch) in total length and are sand-dwelling carnivores and scavengers.
They emerge en masse when they smell food/prey and pile on, grabbing
whatever bits they can, as fast as they can. They then drag any sizable
items back under the sand to consume. One thing of note is that these
snails have a decided appetite for other Molluscs, including clams,
limpets, Cerith snails, olive snails, etc., so if you have any of these
in your tank, watch out. If that’s not an issue, I’d offer the little
fellow meaty bits of marine origin (an opened fresh clam, bits of
shrimp, fish, etc.) and enjoy the show! Please see the following links
for photo comparison:
Note variation in color: http://www.jaxshells.org/prunumx.htm
Good close-up of a live individual:
http://205606.aceboard.net/205606-2058-7943-0-Prunum-apicinum-Menke-1828.htm
>
It is less than half an inch long. So it could still be a juvenile of
something?
<If it is indeed P. apicinum, then yes, judging by the size and relative
transparency of the shell (that becomes less so with age), it’s not
quite an adult. The beautiful black and white pattern you see is
actually the underlying tissue!>
Thanks,
<It was a pleasure, Ron.>
Ron
<Take care, LynnZ>
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Help With Snail Please: Florida
Crown Conch - 6/23/09
<Hello Shelly, Lynn here today>
I have found this large snail...can’t find out anything about it.
<The common name is the Florida Crown Conch, a carnivorous
predator/scavenger that inhabits intertidal/some subtidal areas: mud flats,
oyster beds, estuaries, salt marshes, and such. This species (Melongena
corona) varies considerably in size, color, and shape, which has
unfortunately led to some taxonomic confusion and debate. The various morphs
are generally considered either one of several species/subspecies within
what’s known as the “Melongena corona complex”, or simply as a variant of
the single species: Melongena corona. Please see the following links for
more information:
http://www.sms.si.edu/IRLSpec/Melongena_corona.htm
http://zipcodezoo.com/Key/Animalia/Melongena_Genus.asp >
I have it in my saltwater tank. It was found at the Ponce inlet in New
Smyrna beach Florida.
<Okay>
I have tried to look it up; I know it is some kind of venomous cone snail
<No worries, it’s not a cone snail or venomous.>
....but it is so prehistoric looking...like nothing I can research.
<It is indeed an interesting looking snail. Thankfully there’s a lot of
available information on the ‘net and elsewhere – just use the terms above.>
Can you help me identify it or pass me on to someone who can?
<I think we’ve got it!>
Thank you
<You’re very welcome>
Shelly Broussard
<Lynn Zurik>
The picture does not do him justice...he is LARGE!
<Yes, Crown Conchs can apparently get pretty sizeable (up to ~8”).>
It has the "shooter" thing that comes out the one hole on the end of the
shell...
<Well, while Melongena species and cone snails both have a proboscis (long
tubular feeding organ), only the cone snail has the added venomous
harpoon-like device. Melongena species’ main diet consists of bivalves and
other gastropods/snails (including each other), dead or dying animals, and
possibly ascidians/tunicates. Harpoon-like devices and fast acting venoms
are handy for capturing and subduing active/struggling prey, but in the case
of Melongena species’ prey, it’s overkill. Their main prey items aren't
going to suddenly swim away. These snails typically use their long proboscis
to work between the two halves of a bivalve and feed bit by bit on tissue
removed by means of tiny “radular” teeth.>
..then like a head and face under that with two "antenna" things on it. He
glides around the tank on large mass
<The "foot">
that has a hard bottom on it.
<What you may be seeing is the snail’s oval operculum (trap door at the
opening of a snail that protects the soft body inside from predation and
desiccation).>
He mostly stays buried in the sand...but when he does move he is fast!
<That’s pretty typical. When they smell food, they erupt out of the sand!>
I have had him in my tank for over 6 months...and just saw him kill a
fish!!!!
<Yikes! Although healthy/live fish are not usually on the menu, these are
opportunistic snails that will take advantage of any food opportunity that
comes their way. They’ve got big appetites and are not picky. You might want
to offer your snail a bit more food – clams, fish, shrimp, etc., to
hopefully deter further predation. If that doesn't work, you'll need to
remove one or the other to another tank.>
I tried to look him up and found other poisonous cone snails....sort of like
him...but nothing close! If he is endangered
<Nope, it’s a common snail.>
or of scientific use I would like to turn him over to the proper people. I
have been collecting things out of the Indian River and Atlantic Ocean in
the New Smyrna beach area for over 25 years
<I know it’s tempting, but we do try to discourage people from doing this
because so many find out too late that they’re unable to care for an animal
long term. Also, collection is regulated or prohibited in many coastal
areas. Here are two links to the new Florida regulations that take effect
July 1:
http://www.floridaconservation.org/RULESANDREGS/Saltwater_Regulations_recharvestmls.htm
http://www.floridaconservation.org/RULESANDREGS/Saltwater_Regulations_recseashells.htm
>
...and have NEVER found anything like this!
Thank you again.
<You’re very welcome again! Take care, LynnZ>
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Slug/Snail Type Hitchhiker: Stomatella - 5/21/09
Hello WWM crew.
<Hello, Todd>
I was staring at my tank as usual, when I came across this slug/snail
looking hitchhiker. It appears to have some sort of shell on it, and a
"tail". It also has 2 antennae/feelers on the front.
<It’s a very common and beneficial little gastropod in the genus Stomatella.
These herbivorous grazers are a completely harmless and welcome addition to
anyone’s cleaning crew. For more information, please see the following
links: FAQ titled “Hitchhiker Snail Reproduction: Stomatella varia -
1/17/08”: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/snailreprofaq2.htm
http://bb.wetwebmedia.com/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=181>
Google “Stomatella” in our search engine for numerous additional FAQ’s re:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/Googlesearch.htm >
My tank is a 300g FOWLR for now, planning on turning it into a reef. For
fish I have a pair of O. clowns, a pair of maroon clowns, a purple tang,
orange shoulder tang, yellow tang, blue/regal tang, kole tang, Foxface, and
asfur angelfish. I have maybe 10 small mushrooms, and 20 or so zoo's (pretty
much nonexistent in a tank this size), also a frag of frogspawn, and a RBTA
(split into 2 about 3 months ago), and a GBTA (just split into 2 about a
weeks ago, it was HUGE before the split, at least 8-9" across).
<Wow!>
I also have a few peppermint shrimp, a few cleaner shrimp, some emerald
crabs and sally lightfoot crabs,
<Watch out for the crabs, especially the sally Lightfoots. They start off
small and fairly innocuous, but turn into very swift and effective predators
as they mature. They’re known for killing fish, hermits, shrimps, and
smaller crabs, tearing up anemones and corals (to get to what’s in their
guts), as well as being a challenge to trap. Emerald crabs, like just about
every other crab out there, are opportunistic and can be a problem as well,
but not as much as the sally lightfoot. For more information on either,
please see WWM (see the above search engine).>
..hermit crabs, tons of snails, feather dusters etc...
Any help in identifying this creature would be greatly appreciated, that way
I can either put him back in the tank, or get rid of him.
<This is one little fellow you want to keep!!>
Thanks in advance
<You’re very welcome.>
Todd Angus
<Take care, LynnZ> |
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Are These Baby Turbo Snails?
Chitons and Mystery Critter – 5/15/09
WWM Crew:
<Hello, Jesse>
I recently had an outbreak of Asterina starfish in my reef tank so I've been
paying close attention to my rock work and removing them as I see them.
<Not fun. Most of the time those little guys are harmless but if/when you
get too many or if you get a variety with a taste for your favorite coral -
yikes!>
While on starfish patrol I noticed an abundance of small (ant sized)
creatures I haven't seen on my rock work before. I removed a few and
photographed them...see attached.
<I see, thanks.>
They appear to be snail like, having a protective shell and a soft gooey
body.
<Hmmmm, crunchy on the outside, gooey in the middle. Sounds like a Baby Ruth
bar! Actually, what you have are harmless and beneficial little critters
commonly called Chitons, or more specifically, Polyplacophorans. This
particular variety is one I have in my tanks and has never caused any
problems. They’re herbivorous grazers of hard surfaces, stay small, and
apparently reproduce quite readily in captivity. All in all, they’re a
welcome addition to a reef tank. Here’s a photo of several of mine for
comparison (these are about 3mm long): http://bb.wetwebmedia.com/gallery/pic.php?mode=large&pic_id=126
. For more information on Chitons, please see the following WWM links,
starting here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/chitonfaqs.htm
http://bb.wetwebmedia.com/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=298&p=3108#p3108 >
I've also noticed that almost all of the 3-7mm sized snails in my tank have
white spots/growths on their shells. I have also attached a picture of this
but it's of poor quality.
<I’m sorry, but I can’t see the subjects well enough to be able to determine
what anything is. If you could take one out and get a more detailed photo
that would be super. If you could get photos from several angles, including
the opening it would be even better!>
Also, these creatures only come out at night,
<If you mean the Chitons, that’s completely normal.>
..the same time as the baby snails with the spots on them. What do you think
these creatures are, and are they a threat to my reef tank?
<I doubt it, but it's always nice to be able to confirm that. Have you
noticed any sort of damage/sign of trouble? Do try to get some additional
photos of these critters and we’ll see if we can’t figure out what they
are.>
Thank you in advance,
<You’re very welcome. I look forward to solving the remaining snail
mystery!>
Jesse
<Take care, LynnZ>
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Snail ID: Olive – 5/15/09
Hello again WWM Crew!!!
<Hello Sandra!>
I am in need of a snail identification, please.
<Sure thing, let’s get to it.>
This big guy had to have hitchhiked in on my live rock about 6 months
ago. I had been trying to catch him for about a month. He's nocturnal
and hides very quickly when you shine a flashlight on him.
<Yep, they can move surprisingly fast for a snail!>
I have only seen him on the rocks, never on a coral or the sand.
<These guys like to burrow/bury themselves in the sand, but emerge to
hunt/forage – mostly at night.>
I've looked at that snail ID site that has all of the shells on it and
the only thing similar that I have seen is a cone snail but I don't
really think he's a cone snail.
<You’re right. What you have is commonly referred to as an Olive snail
(family: Olividae, genus: Oliva). I wish I could give you the species
name, but I’d need the snail’s location of origin in order to even begin
to narrow things down. Further complicating matters is the degree to
which these snails can vary within a given species. From what I’ve seen,
your snail might well be Oliva(Miniaceoliva) miniacea, of which there
seem to be many subspecies. One thing that’s a bit odd about your snail
is the shape of the opening at what most people think of as the bottom
end of the shell (opposite end from the spire). As you’ll see in the
photos linked below, most Olive snails have an obvious notch at the end
(called a siphonal notch). Yours has a siphonal canal – an extended
tube-like structure more common to Murex, Whelks, Tulip snails, etc.
That doesn’t mean that this isn’t an Olive snail, it’s just an
interesting difference that I wanted to point out. Please see the
following links for comparison/more information:
See various Oliva(Miniaceoliva) miniacea spp. about 2/3 down the page:
http://www.gastropods.com/Taxon_pages/TN_Family_OLIVIDAE_OLIVINAE.shtml
http://www.idscaro.net/sci/01_coll/plates/gastro/pl_olividae_1.htm
http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/mollusca/gastropoda/olividae/olividae.htm
See WWM’s Google search engine (enter the term “Olive snail”):
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/WWMAdminSubWebIndex/question_page.htm >
He's about 2 1/4 inches long and has a brown and white zig-zag like
pattern.
<He’s a real beauty!>
He's very shiny like a Cowry but his shell is super thin. So thin that
I have accidentally broken part of the lip of his shell.
<Oops!>
His mantle is solid black and when it’s fully out it's got kind of a
spiny look like a sea cucumber.
<Neat>
I am attaching 5 pictures of him. He does not like light at all so I
couldn't get a picture of him fully out and moving about. One picture is
of him upside down. Two show part of his mantle and the other one shows
the pattern of his shell from the back.
<Good job - I appreciate the many shots and different angles! Every
little bit helps when it comes to ID’s!>
I have him in a quarantine tank now with a black mantis shrimp that for
some reason doesn't bother snails or hermit crabs.
<It could be a “spearing” variety of mantis instead of a “smasher”.
Spearers are ambush predators that prey on soft-bodied creatures (fish,
worms, etc), while smashers boldly approach their prey (snails, crabs,
etc) and knock/smash the living daylights out of them with club-like
appendages. It’s also possible that you’re keeping the mantis so well
fed that it doesn’t need to prey on your livestock (the noticeable ones,
anyway!).>
Is he safe to have in a reef tank with fish, SPS corals, other snails
and live rock?
<Regarding the Olive snail, I’d be most concerned about your other
resident snails’ safety. Oliva spp. are not herbivores. They’re
predators and scavengers. Since yours hasn’t been preying on other
snails, he’s likely been surviving on the assorted fauna on/within the
rocks/sand (along with any leftover food lying about). The good news is
that with such a large tank (given the appropriate amount of rock/sand),
his potential impact on the beneficial faunal population is a whole lot
less that it would be if he was in a very small tank. In that case, he
might well strip it of live food pretty quickly and proceed to go after
your snails! As I see it, you’ve got three choices here. 1- Put him back
in the display, make sure he’s well fed, keep an eye out for livestock
loss and remove if/when necessary. 2- Keep him in a separate tank. 3-
Find him another home. Personally, I’d put him back into the display but
keep a very sharp eye out for any problems.>
He's been in a 180 gallon reef for at least 6 months and I haven't
"noticed" him bothering anything but I wanted to make sure.
<I can certainly understand that!>
Thank you all very much for all your help over the years.
<On behalf of Bob and my fellow crew members, you’re very welcome!>
Sandra
<Take care, LynnZ>
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Snail ID: Bullia natalensis - 4/7/09
Hi Crew,
<Hello Mohamed>
Can you please help me ID this snail which is found off the coast of South
Africa? It looks like some type of Nassarius.
<You’re very close! They’re in the same family, Nassariidae, but your snail,
Bullia natalensis, actually belongs within a subfamily called Bulliinae.
This group of snails is generally referred to as “Plough” snails. Although
there are many species of Bullia known to inhabit the waters around Africa,
B. natalensis is particularly common in the surf zone of Natal’s sandy
beaches. Please see this link for photos and a bit more information:
http://www.gastropods.com/6/Shell_4046.shtml >
What is the purpose and function of this snail?
<I guess you could say that it’s to keep the beaches clean. These snails are
scavengers that, although completely blind, have an extremely well developed
sense of smell. They use it to locate dead and dying organisms, either in
the shallows or up on the wet sand of the surf zone.>
Can it be used in aquariums?
<As a scavenger, yes, I would think so but this snail gets pretty big (up to
6cm/~2 3/8”). It’s going to have a big appetite! You’d have to keep it well
fed with meaty bits (of marine origin). Scavenging snails have been known to
turn to live foods, such as a hobbyist’s favorite clam, etc., if/when they
get hungry enough.>
Thanks
Mohamed
<You’re very welcome. Take care, LynnZ>
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Hitchhiker ID Please
3/23/09
Hello,
I need help identifying this hitchhiker. It resembles a small Stomatella or
Chiton, but I don't think that's what it is. It's about 1/4" in diameter,
very flat. It has two sensory tentacles on the head, but it also has
tentacles about 3/16" long all the way around its body. It moves like a
Stomatella, but slower. It has a broken up burgundy and white pattern on its
back. If region helps, I believe it came in on a recent shipment of
corals
from Kupang. I have attached some pictures, but it was hard to get a good
picture of something so small. By the way, thanks for all you do for our
hobby, I use your site constantly.
Thanks
Matt
<Welcome... I do agree this is a snail of some sort... but I can't discern
much more than you have listed. I would enjoy it/them and leave them be if
not causing trouble out of hand. Thank you for sharing. Will ask LynnZ for
her input here as well. Bob Fenner>
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Hitchhiker ID Please – 3/23/09
Hello,
I need help identifying this hitchhiker. It resembles a small Stomatella or
Chiton,
<It’s hard to tell from the photos but I’m guessing it’s not all comprised
of soft parts? In other words, there’s a shell of some sort present? If so,
is it flat, slightly domed, conical, etc? Do you see any sort of spiral
structure or radiating lines anywhere on it?>
..but I don't think that's what it is. It's about 1/4" in diameter, very
flat.
<What’s the general outline/shape? Is it basically round or is it
oval/length>width)?>
It has two sensory tentacles on the head, but it also has tentacles about
3/16" long all the way around its body. It moves like a Stomatella, but
slower. It has a broken up burgundy and white pattern on its back.
<Is this pattern on what appears to be a shell/hard surface, or on soft
tissue?>
If region helps, I believe it came in on a recent shipment of corals from
Kupang.
<That’s great, thanks. Every little bit of information helps when it comes
to ID’s.>
I have attached some pictures, but it was hard to get a good picture of
something so small.
<Yep, it can sure be a challenge. Does your camera have a macro setting
(usually indicated by a small flower symbol)? If so, please do try to get
another photo or two and resend. Right now, I just don’t have enough
information to be able to determine what it is. I do agree with Bob though,
that it’s likely a snail of some sort.>
By the way, thanks for all you do for our hobby, I use your site constantly.
Thanks
Matt
<You’re very welcome. Take care, Lynn>
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Re: Hitchhiker ID Please: Juvenile Abalone – Haliotis asinina
3/24/09
<Hello Matt>
I pulled it out of the tank to get some better pictures.
<Thank you so much. What a beautiful little creature!>
To answer your questions, it has a hard shell almost completely flat and a
foot like a snail. It is almost completely round, but when I photographed
it, I noticed it is a little "U" shaped, or maybe like a kidney bean shape
but flat. The pattern is on the shell part. It does not appear to bother any
livestock.
<Nope, these are herbivores, so no worries.>
It stays in a 1 inch radius of the small indention in the rock that it is
living in.
<Supposedly, these are nocturnal, so yours may well venture about at night,
but return to the same spot in the morning. I’ve seen this sort of “homing”
behavior with urchins. If you didn’t know better you’d swear they never left
that one spot!>
It almost appears to filter feed, but definitely not sure about that.
<They actually feed on various algae species. Apparently, they prefer
Rhodophytes (red algae) such as Coelothrix, Hypnea, Laurencia and Amphiroa,
but will also feed on Gracilaria/Gracillariopsis. You could try offering
yours some of the commonly available dried (red) seaweed sheets. The easiest
way to present it is to tear off a piece and attach it to a rock with a
rubber band. Simply set it near the animal, either right before the lights
go out, or afterwards if you have any herbivorous fishes that would tear the
sheet apart.>
The tentacles resemble Aiptasia.
<Yep, what you’re seeing is a perimeter of sensory tentacles.>
Hope this helps.
<Yes indeed! These new photos are exactly what I needed. If you look closely
at the shell, you’ll see a line of respiratory holes (apertures) along the
top edge facing the camera. These are common to Abalone (Haliotis spp.). The
really neat thing, though, is the presence of those little blue spots. That
clinches the ID as a juvenile Haliotis asinina, aka the Ass’s Ear Abalone
(because of the adult shell’s supposed resemblance to a donkey’s ear).
Personally, I think that’s an awful name for such a little beauty but oh
well. These are common shallow water inhabitants of reef edges, and
size-wise top out somewhere between ~2 3/8” and 4 ¾” (6–12cm). For more
information, please see the following links:
http://www.animalpicturesarchive.com/view.php?tid=2&did=25332
This next link shows the progression of shell development:
http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2148/7/160/figure/F1?highres=y
http://www.gastropods.com/9/Shell_119.shtml
Take care and enjoy your Abalone! LynnZ >
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