Nassarius or whelk?

[Fishbird]

Hi all, I was sold this snail as a Nassarius vibex but it made a beeline for my rocks and hasn’t gone in the sand at all since being added to my tank. Is it really N. vibex?

 

[SMSREEF]

Take a look at this article. It may help you ID

Whelk versus Nassarius | Melev's Reef

www.melevsreef.com

 

[Fishbird]

Ha thanks. Unfortunate I read that article and the speed at which my snail move suggests nassarius, where it hangs out (rocks) suggests whelk, it has a “tattooed” pattern on its siphon which suggests whelk but the color of the siphon and length of the eye stalks suggest nassarius.

 

[SMSREEF]

Ha thanks. Unfortunate I read that article and the speed at which my snail move suggests nassarius, where it hangs out (rocks) suggests whelk, it has a “tattooed” pattern on its siphon which suggests whelk but the color of the siphon and length of the eye stalks suggest nassarius.

That's clear as mud... And frustrating i'm sure.
I wish it could have helped ID for you. I don't have any clue which one it is either.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I want to say nassarius. I saw a few whelks in Florida a few weeks ago and although similar, below is shell difference (top is Whelk) and tubes whereas the whelk has tatooed like markings and nassarius is a clear tube (third pic)

 

[Fishbird]

Thanks. I'm leaning towards nassarius (and definitely hoping that's what it is)!