Can anyone ID?

tmaree · Feb 14, 2023

While removing a few Whelks from my tank I found this snail. It’s not like the other whelks. No “trunk” and the body is red. I’ve tried to No avail to identify on the web. Thanks for your help!

ISpeakForTheSeas · Feb 14, 2023

Based on the foot and shell color, and assuming you got this snail from Florida live rock:

ISpeakForTheSeas said:
The snail is likely a young horse conch - these are actually massive, predatory snails (they're really cool, but they will eat your other snails, clams, etc. - basically any gastropods would be in danger). The red foot is an incredibly distinctive feature, and the only other snails I know of from Florida with red feet (Peristernia spp.) are also predatory (though these guys are much smaller than horse conchs). So, even if the snails are not horse conchs (which they most likely are), you still probably wouldn't want them in your tank. They could make a really interesting addition to a sump or a predatory snail tank dedicated to keeping them though.

Edit: I meant to say mollusks, not gastropods (though gastropods are a kind of mollusk).

Edit: forgot to add - Welcome to Reef2Reef!

tmaree · Feb 14, 2023

ISpeakForTheSeas said:
Based on the foot and shell color, and assuming you got this snail from Florida live rock:

Edit: forgot to add - Welcome to Reef2Reef!

Thank you. And yes a month ago. I’ve been removing whelks but knew this one was different.