Large snail ID

[mr_bill]

I've had this snail I recieved as a hitchhiker about 5 months ago and was never really concerned about ID'ing him, but what the heck I'm trying to get this picture taking thing down. Does anyone have a quick ID for me before I search the net? He's nocturnal, and has grown from about the size of a quarter to the size in the picture below(about 3").
***picture was too big, see new one below***

 

[mr_bill]

The color change in the shell is how much it's grown since being in my tank.
algae grazer for sure, and for some reason it doesn't get any algae growth on its shell like the mexican turbos in my tank do.

 

[mr_bill]

Here's a smaller picture in case the other if giving people issues.
I notice to post a reply you have to scroll way over the right to see the reply text box.

 

[wax32]

Is the opening on the shell like your mexican turbos or is it more like at the bottom of a steep cone? The angel of that shot is hard to make out the shape of the shell. Pull it out of the tank and take a picture of it in your hand, also take a picture of the opening while you are at it...
My initial guess is that it is in the Turbo genus like your mexican turbos... but if the shell is different than I think, then it could be from the Trochus genus.

 

[mr_bill]

The shell is similar in shape and opening as the turbos but without the bumps. The snails flesh is black, and he moves faster than any of my turbos even though he's larger. I turned on the light for a second to get that pic and he retreated immediatly.
I suspect your right in thinking he's some kind of turbo but it sure is growing alot faster than my mexican turbos. It's grown 2x faster at least. I'll try to get ahold of him tonight but he stays in the back of my corner tank where it's a balancing act to try to reach.

 

[wax32]

Hehe. Black flesh and moves fast sounds like a Trochus, my Turbo is anything but fast.

 

[mr_bill]

Originally Posted by wax32
Hehe. Black flesh and moves fast sounds like a Trochus, my Turbo is anything but fast.
Thankyou, do you have any info as far as maximum size? I'm also wondering if there are any places they sell these snails. It must be eating a ton of algae to grow so fast, and I'd like to get a few more.

 

[wax32]

Lets make sure that what it is first...

Grab him tonight and get some pictures. I've seen them listed as growing to four inches. I have a large shell of one that I got in a pack at walmart so they must get pretty big. I know at least one online saltwater critter vendor that sells them, one of the popular sites. (You know the rules... look up some sites.) I list some sites that I like on my site.

 

[mr_bill]

nudge, nudge, know what ya mean, nudge, nudge
for the next picture.. a underside close up and any other requests?

 

[wax32]

Also show a normal "side" view.

 

[mr_bill]

Originally Posted by wax32
Also show a normal "side" view.

Gotcha, but if he eats my hand off I'm going to mail him your way. J/K :joy:

 

[tnt]

He's a zebra stripe turbo snail. I have one too. Excellent algae eater. They are from Belize from what I've read.

 

[clown52]

I have one of those I got as a hitchiker that came in on the live rock at my LFS. I was told it is a Pacific Turbo, not sure of any scientific name. Hope this helps. Reef Safe.

Edit: I'll try to add some pics tonight as well.

 

[mr_bill]

Zebra Stripe turbo snails are nocturnal? I havn't seen or found any around local to me here to buy these things. The picture I found online of a zebra turbo looked to have a different shell color pattern, but I'll wait to see what yours looks like.

 

[tnt]

Mine looks just like your picture and is definitely nocturnal. I looked for a site I could post for you to look at, but they were all selling them so I don't think I can post them. Do a search for zebra turbo snail and you should find some.

 

[wax32]

Originally Posted by Mr_Bill
Gotcha, but if he eats my hand off I'm going to mail him your way. J/K :joy:
Hehe. Zebra Turbo sounds good. The one I have was labled Indonesian Turbo at the LFS.

 

[mr_bill]

Did a search, found one picture of a place what was selling them. I'll take your word about the one you have being the same, because the picture I saw didn't match.
Thanks for the help

 

[tnt]

Email me the link at tntws6@mtco.com. I thought the pics I saw looked like yours, but maybe I'm wrong. I'd like to get the proper id for mine too if I'm wrong. I did read that there are like 150,000 species? of marine snails. :scared:

 

[wax32]

There are SOOOO many kinds of snails, species isn't important. If you can narrow it to a genus you are doing good.

 

[corally]

Originally Posted by tnt
Mine looks just like your picture and is definitely nocturnal. I looked for a site I could post for you to look at, but they were all selling them so I don't think I can post them. Do a search for zebra turbo snail and you should find some.

I also have this snail I bought it at my lfs, I never, ever see it during the day time it only comes out at night. I've had it for about four months and it dosen't really seem like it has grown, but it is all over the place at night.