Snail killing snail??

[oceaninabox12345]

Hey guys.. earlier in the year i bought a used tank from a reefer getting out of the hobby, and he had various inverts, corals, fish, etc. I noticed there were only about 2 snails though, but i didnt think much of it then. I moved the two snails into a nano tank that had a decent amount of algae in it, and bought a couple more snails because they werent keeping up with it. Parameters were perfect. Soon i noticed i had 4 of the 5 snails, then 3, then 2, then back to my original big one from the tank. Bought a couple more snails, and 2 days later only the shells were left. I moved the tank onto a desk of mine and moved 2 more snails into the tank. I watched and the big one went to one of the snails, it seems to almost "grab" it, and then turned the shell of the small snail and it seemed like it was eating it. I pulled the "killer" snail off of the small one, and the small one was limp. Very much dead. I watched it do the exact same thing to the second snail, just a couple hours later. Both dead.
Also something that should be mentioned is that when the tank was moved, the guy mentioned that this snail had a "stinger" and he never touched it with his hands. He says it would try to attack you with it when stressed. So, when i moved it into the nano its currently in, i was acclimating it and decided to get it out with a plastic spoon. I saw a weird black spear looking thing, and it had a white tip. Let me tell you, i was glad i used the spoon. The force it hit the spoon with was really strong. Any idea what kind of snail this is?? And was it actually killing the other snails??

 

[Crabs McJones]

Following along for the answer, the only snail i've ever known of with a stinger was a Cone Snail, but this doesn't look like one. Looks more like a nassarius or a whelk to me.

 

[cracker]

agreed 1 i'd like to know the difference also.

 

[Lloyd Williams]

It almost looks like a chestnut snail? Only snail I’ve heard of with a “stinger” is conch. Not sure what that thug is you got! Lol

 

[oceaninabox12345]

Following along for the answer, the only snail i've ever known of with a stinger was a Cone Snail, but this doesn't look like one. Looks more like a nassarius or a whelk to me.

Feel free to @ anyone you think might know. Id like to know before i finally dispose of it.. i havent really had the heart to

 

[Crabs McJones]

@KJ #Reefsquad we'll bring in the pro's

 

[glb]

Nassarius snails have a black tube that sticks up out of the sand so they can detect food in the water. Yours is a snail murderer. I’d name him “Gangsta Snail”.

 

[cracker]

I assume it's in the sump now? I suggest putting him in a small container with tank water & see if it sticks out a trunk or 2 a good pic if this eyestalk or whatever would help a lot. I had 2 small snails in a bucket bubbler & a few small bait shrimp. These snails were munching on live shrimp in no time at all.

 

[oceaninabox12345]

Nassarius snails have a black tube that sticks up out of the sand so they can detect food in the water. Yours is a snail murderer. I’d name him “Gangsta Snail”.

He is definitely not a nassarius. And alright, i will refer to him as "Gangsta" from now on [emoji23]

 

[oceaninabox12345]

I assume it's in the sump now? I suggest putting him in a small container with tank water & see if it sticks out a trunk or 2 I god pic if this eyestalk or whatever would help a lot. I had 2 small snails in a bucket bubbler & a few small bait shrimp. These snails were munching on live shrimp in no time at all.

Yep, hes in a sump. Ill move him and take pictures soon

 

[KJ]

Look like Whelk to me.
https://www.google.com/search?q=whe...ved=0ahUKEwjs5tOPjebdAhVRzlMKHaDHBTcQ_AUIDigB
http://www.melevsreef.com/articles/whelk-versus-nassarius

 

[glb]

He is definitely not a nassarius. And alright, i will refer to him as "Gangsta" from now on [emoji23]

I had a gangsta emerald crab once who was a shrimp/snail/anything moving slow eater. He was relocated.

 

[saltyhog]

@KJ is right IMO! Whelks look very much like nassarius and are related to them as I recall. They are cold blooded snail and clam predators. Their are some physical differences but behavior is an easy way to differentiate them. Nassarius never climb on the glass and rarely on the rock. Whelk's spend there time all over the rock, glass and substrate hunting. If you see a "nassarius" on the rock or glass, sump it!

 

[Wdavis1488]

@KJ is right IMO! Whelks look very much like nassarius and are related to them as I recall. They are cold blooded snail and clam predators. Their are some physical differences but behavior is an easy way to differentiate them. Nassarius never climb on the glass and rarely on the rock. Whelk's spend there time all over the rock, glass and substrate hunting. If you see a "nassarius" on the rock or glass, sump it!

Not trying to hijack but one of my nassarius snail strolls up the glass when I feed never had a problem with him eating anything other than leftovers

 

[saltyhog]

Does he come out of the sand when you feed? Maybe he's really confused but I would keep an eye on him. Check the back of his shell. The article KJ linked describes the differences in the shell and the proboscis. I never have seen any of my nassarius anywhere but on the sand.

 

[Wdavis1488]

Does he come out of the sand when you feed? Maybe he's really confused but I would keep an eye on him. Check the back of his shell. The article KJ linked describes the differences in the shell and the proboscis. I never have seen any of my nassarius anywhere but on the sand.

Only when I feed next time it does it I'll take a photo

 

[saltyhog]

You're probably right then, if it buries in the sand it's not likely a Whelk. Weird behavior for a nassarius though.

 

[oceaninabox12345]

Look like Whelk to me.
https://www.google.com/search?q=whe...ved=0ahUKEwjs5tOPjebdAhVRzlMKHaDHBTcQ_AUIDigB
http://www.melevsreef.com/articles/whelk-versus-nassarius

You're probably right then, if it buries in the sand it's not likely a Whelk. Weird behavior for a nassarius though.

After reading about whelks, ive discovered one in my other tank. I feel like the one in question is not a whelk though. Here are a couple better pictures

 

[oceaninabox12345]

Does he come out of the sand when you feed? Maybe he's really confused but I would keep an eye on him. Check the back of his shell. The article KJ linked describes the differences in the shell and the proboscis. I never have seen any of my nassarius anywhere but on the sand.

Posted a couple more pictures if ya wanna check them out..i dont think he is a whelk

 

[Maritimer]

That may be a "dove" snail ... Columbella, I think?

My Nassarius climb the glass when I feed as well - especially if I hang a clam-on-the-half-shell in midwater nearby.

~Bruce