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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, Snail ID 20, Snail ID 22, Snail ID 23, Snail ID 24, Snail ID 25, Snail ID 26, & 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, 

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>

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>

Snails? Yep... Stomatella 10/4/09
HI,
<Hello>
I had purchased a lettuce Nudibranch for my algae that disappeared as fast as I put it in. I never saw it again. Then about a month later I saw TINY versions of something that are now this size. Are these offspring or some evil snail that must be removed.
<Nah>
Never saw these before I had that lettuce Nudibranch. They come out at night and do not like to be photographed. Sorry for the lame pics, this was the best I could do. I figured with enough pics you could help me to identify them. The 4th pic is sort of a HEAD ON view.
Thanks!
<Read here:
http://wetwebmedia.com/MolluscPIX/Gastropods/Prosobranch%20PIX/Limpets%20Scutus/LimpetF1.htm
Bob Fenner>

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

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>

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