Nassurus or Whelk Snails?

[SpyC]

I had two healthy clams murdered by what were purchased as nassurus snails. Someone suggested posting here in case they are actually whelks. they do hang out under the sand bed. What is the consensus?

 

[ReeferHD]

definitely looks like one of the predatory variants, there are many types of nassarius and they all look pretty similar, so IDing is tricky. i'd rehome them if you're sure they killed your clams.

 

[SpyC]

definitely looks like one of the predatory variants, there are many types of nassarius and they all look pretty similar, so IDing is tricky. i'd rehome them if you're sure they killed your clams.

I witnessed them kill one.

 

[ReeferHD]

in that case, they are definitely predatory whelks, though all nassarius are whelks, not all of them are predatory.

 

[bluemon]

They look like the big tongan nassariuses that I have, but as @ManWithAClam said, they can be very hard to ID.

But if you saw them eating your clam? Skip the question and put them in the sump.

 

[SpyC]

They look like the big tongan nassariuses that I have, but as @ManWithAClam said, they can be very hard to ID.

But if you saw them eating your clam? Skip the question and put them in the sump.

Yea, I'm going to play it safe. A bit annoyed. I took advantage of a hefty sale for the clams.