View Full Version : snail ID?
soapy
02-22-2014, 05:35 AM
So what do you guys think, good or bad?
I am thinking it is either a Columbellid or a Whelk.
http://i882.photobucket.com/albums/ac29/soapy_photos/snail_IMG_2632_zpsf2bf109e.jpg
soapy
02-22-2014, 06:19 PM
No opinions anyone?
jorjef
02-22-2014, 11:56 PM
Let the cat play with it.
You gotta flip it over to see the difference between Columbellid and Whelk.
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-11/rs/index.php
soapy
02-23-2014, 02:35 AM
I had looked at that page before but it was really tough to say wether it had a siphonal canal or not. More like it did, in any case it didn't make the cut.
paddyob
02-23-2014, 03:32 AM
Looks like a Nassarious (spelling is probably wrong but I don't care to google it :P)
I had looked at that page before but it was really tough to say wether it had a siphonal canal or not. More like it did, in any case it didn't make the cut.
I was leaning towards innocent. You could always put it in the sump.
soapy
02-23-2014, 08:08 PM
I was leaning towards innocent. You could always put it in the sump.
I was too, but the risk was outweighing the benefit. My system has a nice population of Stomatella's, limpet's and also some larger bi-valves which I don't want being picked off one at a time.
As a side note I should get some pictures of those bi-valves and see if you guys can identify them, I suspect they are some kind of small clam. They have been on the rock from the beginning, (5 years), but are starting to reproduce more lately.
matt_C
02-23-2014, 08:53 PM
This is a Whelk, a snail that consumes dead livestock on the reef. It will also attempt to attack and kill snails. These are carnivores. I had at least six of these in my 55g reef for the past year, and never had a problem. After acclimating a baby Golden Maxima clam, the next day I found all the whelks finishing off my beautiful clam. They definitely attacked it - as clams are part of their diet - I only learned later. (sigh) NOT Reef-safe at all. It looks like a Nassarius snail!
http://www.melevsreef.com/id/whats_a_whelk.html
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