This is a very inaccurate article that makes a ton of assumptions about Nassarius snails and whelks based on a limited number of species. In particular, multiple species of Nassarius snails do indeed feature patterned siphons (ex. Nassarius margaritifer) and some whelks, like Kellet's whelk (Kelletia kelletii) lack patterning on their siphons.
My Nassarius snails only respond to dead/dying organisms. They literally do not care when my hands enter my aquarium, but if I have a cut and a single drop of my blood enters the tank, they all wake up and start searching for food.
If they only respond to dead/dying organisms, were you dying when you had a small cut on your hand lol
Well, I was injured.
For the record, I don't think they're usually going after most uninjured fish either (slow moving inverts that can't withdraw into a shell might be another story) and I probably should have worded my earlier posts better. They're not wanton murder machines or anything, and most greatly prefer scavenging in general. I just wouldn't assume something that was still alive when they were eating it was 100% doomed to die anyway.
Anthias: "Huh? What's happening?"
