Bumblebee Snails

[bang guy]

This isn't a bug of the week post (sorry).
I've just come to the conclusion that there are at least three different species of snails being sold under the name "Bumblebee".
This explains my confusion concerning these snails. The first one I ever saw was a Engina mendicaria. These snails prey on worms and snails they find among the rocks. I was confused when someone told me their Bumblebee was eating algae. Engina mendicaria would not be able to digest algae and after seeing a picture I was pretty sure it was not Engina mendicaria but a similar snail with beige stripes instead of yellow. I saw one other that didn't have a probiscus so it was a third specie unrelated to the other two.
I just though I would pass this on.
Guy

 

[krishj39]

Thanks Guy, any chance you can post a pic of the desireable kind of bumblebee snail? I have several that I've never witnessed eating anything but algae, and they have yellow stripes, not beige. Also, did you get my email?
Kris

 

[daniel27407]

ok this is just my 2 cents based on other fish etc...The different colored stripes my indicate sexing or dominance....with my experiance with cichlids and birds this is the case....one --- will show brighter more dominante (desired color) than the other....or the more dominate of a group will show stronger colors than the less dominate .... I don't know like I said my 2 cents is a guess...

 

[daniel27407]

Originally posted by tangsfornuttin
ok, that's an interesting thought... Do they switch sexes? IE: the ones that I have that were bright yellow and faded, are they trannies?
Ok well I don't think they would change --- but they could be out dominated by other fish or snails... hey like I said just my 2 cents

 

[poiboy]

I have five of these buggers runnin around in my tank and seen them eat nuthin but alge. They are still bright yellow, I cant find them @ this moment to post a pic, maybe later.

 

[poiboy]

got one. finally

 

[treg]

Are you saying these "bumble bee snails" will KILL other snails?
I just bought 8 of these little guys along with some other snails and some crabs. well almost all of the other snails are now dead. and how I tell the other snails are dead is when he is covered in bumble bee snails.
Everytime I see a snail with a few bumble bees on him, hes dead!
Which BTW were all Banded Trochus Snail's and one turbo.

 

[treg]

The ones I have were sold under the name "Pusiostoma mendicaria" some of these are bright yellow and some beige.
The Name dosnt really mean much thought I would guess... that dosnt mean that is whats in the bag.
I thought all my trochus snails must have been sick... Its starting to all make sense now! Now what to do with these 8 bumble bees? Maybe the crabs will feed on them! Or can they kill crabs too??

 

[richard rendos]

In other animals - males are brighter color to attract females to mate with them. That is also the reason male birds/frogs etc. often vocalize more than females. My question is - do Bumblebee snails have eyes?

 

[poiboy]

guess I've been lucky, so far. Been in the tank for about 4 months and all my turbo's and margaritas are fine.

 

[harrysreef]

Boy am I surprised I just added 10. I don't know if they are good ones or bad haven't really watched them. Better checkem good over the next couple of days.