Nassarius, whelk or else?

[Jadran]

Took a few of these guys form my friends tank.
They've been spawning like crazy ever since nd become bit of annoyance arround the pumps and all.. we took them for nassarius snails but now im not so sure any more..

Can you id it with cretainty based on these pictures

 

[NowGlazeIT]

Do they burrow in the sand? They look like Nass to me.
What’s say you? @vetteguy53081

 

[vetteguy53081]

It’s a whelk- tattooed snout is a giveaway

 

[homer1475]

It’s a whelk- tattooed snout is a giveaway

Was going to say the same thing.... Well maybe not tattoed, but the brown on the snout is a dead give away for a whelk.

 

[minus9]

Can you post a pick from their underside? Also, are they small? 3/8” max? Where do you see them? Glass? Rocks? Sand?

 

[minus9]

Do they respond when you feed your fish? They look like dove snails or strombus to me, just need to see their undersides.

 

[Tamberav]

Flip em over and see if they have a protective operculum that seals their shell to prevent water to get in. Nass don’t have that.

 

[minus9]

Flip em over and see if they have a protective operculum that seals their shell to prevent water to get in. Nass don’t have that.

This! Also, do you observe them eating algae?

 

[Jadran]

Hello all,

Here im finally am.. long day today.

I dunno if they would burrow in a sand since i've got bb setup, can see how they bejave im my colleague's display.

Here few shots of their bottoms hope its good enough to id them

 

[WheatToast]

How large are they?

 

[cocoReefer]

euplica scripta aka “dove shell”

 

[Jadran]

Regarding their size,,, they dont get much bigger than that

 

[Jadran]

Are dove shells reef safe?

 

[cocoReefer]

Are dove shells reef safe?

Have been for me. Get into pumps and overflows due to size though

 

[minus9]

You should see them on the glass eating algae. Their egg cases are clear with tiny white specs, anywhere from 5 to 10 tiny little dots. Often referred as nano conchs. Also, just leave them in a glass with tank water and take a pic from the bottom or side. We need to see their foot extended. Out of water, they'll behave differently.

 

[Jadran]

Sry 4 late response, been away from my snails whole day ,

Yes, the are all over the glass, front, back, overflow.. here is one pic of one of these guys grazing on my front glass..

Thx.

 

[minus9]

Enjoy the CUC! They’re one of my favorite hitchhikers. As I mentioned before, look out for clear (circle) egg cases with tiny white specks. You’ll find them on the undersides of pumps, overflows, etc… I see them on my glass all the time.

 

[Jadran]

Thx for clearing that out. So they are harmless herbivores. As i may said before these guys are multiplying like crazy and got me worried. what if... kinda doubts

I guess i'll just raise a little army of glass polishers for my display. Just hope they wont do to mush stress to my pumps, valves and so on. It might be hard to keep their numbers in check though.

Thx again

 

[minus9]

Thx for clearing that out. So they are harmless herbivores. As i may said before these guys are multiplying like crazy and got me worried. what if... kinda doubts

I guess i'll just raise a little army of glass polishers for my display. Just hope they wont do to mush stress to my pumps, valves and so on. It might be hard to keep their numbers in check though.

Thx again

For those of us that have been in the hobby for a while, we really appreciate these little guys and often seek them out. You can always sell them to other local hobbyist. Often referred to as nano conchs, strombus grazers, dove snails, they’re all the same to us in regards to their duties. There are several different species that fall under that name, but they all perform the same job. They can get into pumps, which is their only downfall, but I don’t mind. Enjoy!