Whelk or Nassarius?

[Ingrim]

Got 2 snails today at my LFS. Are these nassarius snails or whelks? I have my suspicions.

 

[kingranch2003]

Hello! Yes, these definitely look like the good guys. Soon you'll see them buried in the sand with an "antennae " sticking out of it.
This looks like a newer system. I could be wrong. If this is the case, these snails may be more prone to being on the glass or top of the sandbed searching for food.
This is a carnivorous snail and will eat most fish foods in my experience, until the tank's sanbed matures more. This is a great snail to have a pack of. I've found that nothing keeps the sandbed turned over better than nassarius and conchs.

 

[BonnieB]

Yes, I agree with nassarius and what has been said, especially that you’ll see them on the glass at times on and off so don’t be alarmed. Once they establish themselves they will come up out of the sand when they smell food. I call them my zombie crew!

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Just out of curiosity how much did you pay for them?

 

[Ingrim]

Just out of curiosity how much did you pay for them?

6 dollars each

 

[Ingrim]

Yes, I agree with nassarius and what has been said, especially that you’ll see them on the glass at times on and off so don’t be alarmed. Once they establish themselves they will come up out of the sand when they smell food. I call them my zombie crew!

The only thing that worries me is the one on the sand in the picture doesn’t burrow in the sand. Ever since I got him yesterday morning he’s been on the sand bed. The one that was on the glass burrows. Idk if it takes them awhile sometimes to burrow?

 

[BonnieB]

Yes, I agree with nassarius and what has been said, especially that you’ll see them on the glass at times on and off so don’t be alarmed. Once they establish themselves they will come up out of the sand when they smell food. I call them my zombie crew!

The only thing that worries me is the one on the sand in the picture doesn’t burrow in the sand. Ever since I got him yesterday morning he’s been on the sand bed. The one that was on the glass burrows. Idk if it takes them awhile sometimes to burrow?

When I got the 4 for my new tank it took them 4-5 days to burrow, except for 1 that burrowed right away. Then for about a week after that 2 or 3 would come out and climb all the way up to the top of the tank, half way out the water where they’d stay most of the day! Oddballs for sure!

 

[MC Blowfish]

The only thing that worries me is the one on the sand in the picture doesn’t burrow in the sand. Ever since I got him yesterday morning he’s been on the sand bed. The one that was on the glass burrows. Idk if it takes them awhile sometimes to burrow?

I have 3 in my tank. I had one that I was concerned about as it stayed on top of the sand. After a couple days, it disappeared into the sand.

 

[Ingrim]

Yes, I agree with nassarius and what has been said, especially that you’ll see them on the glass at times on and off so don’t be alarmed. Once they establish themselves they will come up out of the sand when they smell food. I call them my zombie crew!

The only thing that worries me is the one on the sand in the picture doesn’t burrow in the sand. Ever since I got him yesterday morning he’s been on the sand bed. The one that was on the glass burrows. Idk if it takes them awhile sometimes to burrow?

When I got the 4 for my new tank it took them 4-5 days to burrow, except for 1 that burrowed right away. Then for about a week after that 2 or 3 would come out and climb all the way up to the top of the tank, half way out the water where they’d stay most of the day! Oddballs for sure!

Here’s a better picture of the one in question. He’s on top of the rocks now. I already feed them pretty good so he shouldn’t be hungry.

 

[BonnieB]

Guessing that one is a whelk in that case! Nassarius don’t go on rockwork. Get him out and trade him for a nassarius buddy for your other one!

 

[Crabs+Shrimps-69]

Guessing that one is a whelk in that case! Nassarius don’t go on rockwork. Get him out and trade him for a nassarius buddy for your other one!

Mine go on the rocks, but mine also burrowed into the sand on day 1.