Nassarius snails

[OpIvy1O]

hi,
I am planning on getting some Nassarius snails for my tank from premium aquatics. i have a 65 gal and a 5 in deep sand bed. I am wondering how many Nassarius' i would need for my tank? i am thinking on about 50 but I would be cool with more .

,thanks
steve

[gramma royale]

I think the standard is 1 per gallon, but if you have other snails such as astreas, then the number should be lower.

[gramma royale]

BTW, I see you live in Lafayette. I actually live in Danville. Where do you get your stuff from? I usually go to The Aquarium in Concord. They have some pretty nice stuff there, but it's darned expensive!

[gargoyle]

Originally posted by gramma royale
I think the standard is 1 per gallon, but if you have other snails such as astreas, then the number should be lower.

Nassarius snails eat carrion(sp?), they don't eat the same things as normal snails such as astreas or turbos, etc.

[chromis]

I got about 30 for my 55 gallon reef from the Bill's Reef booth at MACNA. They really are interesting snails. I think that you would want to be conservative because like gargoyle said they eat detritus and other waste. These snails really do a great job of stirring the sand

[gramma royale]

You know, that's exactly why I bought those snails too! I wanted them to stir the sand, but they're always on the glass munching on the algae. Once in a long while, I'll see one under the sand, but they usually just hang on the glass.

[gargoyle]

My go on the glass after they finish eating and start laying eggs, then they return to the sand and bury themselves.

[chromis]

gargoyle, have you had any success raising the larvae?

[icemark]

Gamma, are you sure you don't have Ceriths which act more like you describe?

[gramma royale]

I think they're nassarius. They have that long siphon sticking out of their head.

[scubadude]

Hi steve Welcome to RL

Here are a few pics that might help. Also remember that nassarius are fairly small to other snails. So IMO the 1 per gallon can be adjust a bit higher.


Nassarius Snail


Cerith Snail

[OpIvy1O]

gramma-
I do my shopping at various places around the bay area. As long as the specimans are good, i'm happy . I've been purchasing alot of my stuff recently from Lucky Goldfish in Oakland, as that's where i have a part time job now.


Anyways i will probably end up going with 50 nassarius snails. cause 25 seems a little too few.

,steve

[organicreefer]

gramma i live in pittsburg and i frequent the aquarium as well,really!pricey .you ever try superpet warehouse in concord ,or concord aquarium?superpet is generally the cheapest ime,but the aiptasia covered tanks probly illustrate why .what about reef science in danville?or aquarium concepts,probly my favorite they actually have some decent equipment over there.

[gramma royale]

Well, i actually live in Danville. So when I first came back from San Diego, I hit Reef Science immediately. The problem is that Reef Science is just as expensive as The Aquarium, but with less products and livestock. You do get what you pay for, however, as they both have really healthy livestock. I want to try Aquarium Concepts, but they're in the process of moving. I've heard from several people that the store has gone downhill a little due to the moving process. However, the same people told me that this store is the best in the Bay Area, in regards to livestock. So, as soon as they are settled in, I'll swing by and check it out.

[gargoyle]

Originally posted by gargoyle
My go on the glass after they finish eating and start laying eggs, then they return to the sand and bury themselves.

Have not seen any babies, I think everything else eats them before they get a chance to live.

[gramma royale]

speaking of which, I just saw either a very small abalone or very large stomatella snail lay eggs! It first moved to a high point on a piece of LR, and started "blowing" out tiny eggs!

[OpIvy1O]

well i didn't end up getting the snails from premium aquatics as i previously planned to, but i did drop by at aquarium concepts in hayward today to pick up a few. as of now, they still are motionless on top of my sand bed. hope they turn out ok. i'll see how they are and get some more if they are as efficient as they are said to be.
, steve

[Reefland]

Just thought I would share this picture of a baby nassarius snail. My wife and just noticed it recently.



Scott