I Cannot Id This Snail On My Zoos???

[efishnsea]

Thanks again everyone for the ID help on my last snail thread, I found this snail on a colony of zoanthids after the lights went out. It is about 4mm long.
Is it good, bad :notsure: ???
I guess before long I will be able to write a snail ID book.
efishnsea

 

[matt819]

I found a wierd, zebra looking snail along with my new zoos as well...different looking than that though. The one I have has more of an upright shell; not so long, and the zebra stripes are more compact on its shell. Interested to see what you find out...I didn't think snails could be too harmful though.

 

[efishnsea]

I have heard there is a species that eats zoanthids, I have never seen the picture though.

 

[alyssia]

I think sundial snails are really bad. That isn't what you have though.

 

[efishnsea]

any ideas on its ID???
thanks

 

[alyssia]

Originally Posted by efishnsea
any ideas on its ID???
thanks

Sorry, I have no clue what that particular snail is.

 

[ags]

Looks like a whelk. In the second to last picture there appears to be a snorkel/tube coming out from under neath the shell. They are predatory snails that prey on other snails, etc. I had one particular welch that sat in my zoos. Not sure if he was eating them or not but the zoos started to recede around that time. I would take it out if it indeed is a welch. whelks also have claw like appendages on their under belly.
This photo is courtesy of another SWF.com member, not mine.

 

[efishnsea]

That is something on the piece of paper, I observed it for a while and did not see a tube extruding from its shell. If it is not a Welch any ideas????
thnks
efishnsea

 

[ags]

Look at the underbelly of the snail. Are there two spike type appendages on the outer, upper 2/3? Another identifying property of a whelk. They use these spike/claws to hold onto and break open the shells of their prey.
And the snorkel/tube can be retracted so if the snail is inside its shell you mioht not see it.

 

[ntank20]

For the ones who were talking about the snails that eat corals, there is a picture in the archives, under the hitchhiker identifications. Some snails are harmful. Hope this helps.

 

[ntank20]

Nevermind. I will just show you. Here is what the archives says about them.

[hr]
"This snail is called Heliacus and is another one of the problematic "remove ASAP" snails one might find in their tank. Typically, sundial snails are found on colonies of zoanthids, button polyps and similar which they feed on. If you feel that your polyps are slowly dying off or just not spreading, you may wish to check closely for this snail which is a predator of these types of polyps. The snail is difficult to see because it sits snug towards the base of the polyps, where it basically punctures them and sucks out the insides. It is wise to check any new colonies for this pest and remove it. Thankfully the shell is pretty characteristic.
Photos courtesy of Vito525 and ViPeR_930
Attached Images"

 

[efishnsea]

thanks alot for the info and pictures

 

[matt819]

That's what I have! I'll remove it right away...luckily it was facing the front so I could easily see it.

 

[ags]

FYI, here is another picture of a whelk. This one's shell is very close to the one in your picture. However, shell doesn't mean much.

 

[ags]

These are the claws/spikes I was referring to.

 

[fishgeek01]

i think that you should look up information on cowry snails. I think that is the kind you have, maybe a tiger cowry

 

[efishnsea]

thanks for all of the very informative info and pics
efishnsea