Is this a Nassarius snail or a Whelk?

[jacobbbb]

I purchased 3 snails Nassarius snails today. Two smaller one larger. The two smaller ones immediately buried themselves in the sand but the larger one has been just moving around on the tank mostly on the sand but now he’s going up on the glass. Now I’m concerned it is actually a Whelk. I additionally got 4 trochus snails and they were in the same container. Now the trochus snails haven’t moved for 30-40 minutes.

 

[MasterClassReefs]

Whelk. Dark snout, armored tail, larger.

 

[tbrown]

The snout looks more like a Nassarius to me.

 

[jacobbbb]

He has now dug into the sand not sure if that makes a difference

 

[MasterClassReefs]

The snout looks more like a Nassarius to me.

Look at the tail. This is a whelk. Nassarius snails also dont have a dark snout.

 

[tbrown]

He has now dug into the sand not sure if that makes a difference

Yep. Nassarius usually bury themselves whereas whelks tend to stay above the sand.

 

[MasterClassReefs]

He has now dug into the sand not sure if that makes a difference

Yep. Nassarius usually bury themselves whereas whelks tend to stay above the sand.

Whelks do burry in the sand to avoid predation. This isnt a good enough identifier.

 

[jacobbbb]

Whelks do burry in the sand to avoid predation. This isnt a good enough identifier.

Should I move it to my sump for now to avoid any snails being eaten?

 

[tbrown]

Could be. It looks like a Tongan Nassarius snail potentially.

 

[MasterClassReefs]

Whelks do burry in the sand to avoid predation. This isnt a good enough identifier.

Should I move it to my sump for now to avoid any snails being eaten?

Do you want to keep a predatory snail that will eat other snails and attack clams? Id get rid of it personally. Nassarius are great, whelks will be more problematic for most. If you want to keep it I would remove it from the display where its prey lives.

 

[tbrown]

Should I move it to my sump for now to avoid any snails being eaten?

If there's any doubt, it never hurts to sump them.

 

[MasterClassReefs]

Could be. It looks like a Tongan Nassarius snail potentially.

Again, look at the tail and snout. Look up photos of Tongan nassarius snails, this isnt it.

 

[MasterClassReefs]

Should I move it to my sump for now to avoid any snails being eaten?

If there's any doubt, it never hurts to sump them.

You are an awesome guy, Im not trying to be rude. I know this one though. I am sure of it.

 

[tbrown]

You are an awesome guy, Im not trying to be rude. I know this one though. I am sure of it.

No worries. I'm not arguing with you. I agree the snout is dark and I can see the armor at the end of the tail. I've had some that looked similar.

Like I said above, if he has any concerns at all, it never hurts to sump it.

 

[tbrown]

And yes, mine could have been mislabeled when I purchased them and they could have been whelks.

 

[MasterClassReefs]

And yes, mine could have been mislabeled when I purchased them and they could have been whelks.

100% it happens more than Id like to see. Melevs Reef also had an issue with this if I recall correctly. I have also received some in error.

 

[jacobbbb]

The big guy has been sumped and I managed to catch his two friends. What do we think the odds that they are all whelks is? Lol

 

[jacobbbb]

I got these locally from Vivid Aquariums. Do you guys by chance know where might have actual Nassarius snails from ?

 

[MasterClassReefs]

The big guy has been sumped and I managed to catch his two friends. What do we think the odds that they are all whelks is? Lol

Look at the tails and snout. Dark snout + armored tail = whelk. 100% certain. Check them all as they often come mixed.

 

[jacobbbb]

Look at the tails and snout. Dark snout + armored tail = whelk. 100% certain.

I guessed hahaha. Guess I will be trying to take these back. Do you know by chance where might actually have Nassarius snails?