Dove Snails? Attempt 2....

KayBabe785 · Mar 8, 2022

So sorry about my post earlier today, something went haywire, and I gave up. Anyway, Can someone tell me if these are Dove Snails? A few of these have popped up in my tank and I'm worried they're whelks or maybe nassarius, which I'd like to avoid both. I've never added nassarius. These guys are always seen on the glass or rocks. I've never seen them in the sand. They are small, maybe half pea size, I don't see any dark distinct markings on their truck. Thoughts?

minus9 · Mar 8, 2022

The shells look like dove snails, but hard to tell from the pics. Look closer and see if they’re actively eating algae. They’ll behave just like any other herbivore and you’ll see a tiny mouth going to town on algae. I have about 3 varieties between my two tanks and I love these little guys. Whelks will have distinct markings on their snouts, almost tattoo like.

damsels are not mean · Mar 8, 2022

I'm betting on dove. Certainly not nassarius, although not sure why you want to avoid those? They are pure scavengers. I think people overstock them and they are unnecessary if you don't have messy eaters because they only eat meaty waste and dead animals but they can be nice to have in small numbers if for no reason other than as a curiosity.

taricha · Mar 8, 2022

I think columbellid snail, see link in below quote.

taricha said:
... I'm interested in any small herbivores that reproduce in a tank. Things that scale up to the size of the food available are real problem solvers in a reef tank.
I think what's being referenced is what's ID'd here as a columbellid snail. Also called dove shells, and sold as "mini strombus" - but they definitely aren't that.
Absolutely great. I got some from Indo-Pacific Sea Farms ("mini-strombus") and they are good grazers, reproduce insanely, go everywhere - though I'd say they spend less time in the sand, and I'd still prefer Cerith or true Strombus for pure sandbed work. I think their most preferred niche is grazing the epiphytes that grow on macroalgae.
awesome snails.

egg pouch on glass, and columbellid snail.
(sorry for thread hijack)