Nassarius Snails---Predators?

vpotts28

vpotts28

Active Member
I awoke friday to an empty shell of my banded trochus snails. I figured that maybe the emerald crab I had introduced into my tank the week previous may have been a little hungry. The next day I went by the tank and saw what I can only describe as a lion feeding. There were 5 Nassarius Snails flipping and flopping on another one of my snails,completely sucked it dry. What is going on? Is this normal? Are they hungry? I actually have video, will post later if anyone is interested.
 
vpotts28

vpotts28

Active Member
Originally Posted by The J.O.P.
my nass. snails are crazy fighters.

Its almost like they communicate, one will go on the rock to knock a snail that can't right itself once it falls and the others pounce on it. They come out of the sand in droves and the mauling begins. Absolutely crazy.
 
frankthetank

frankthetank

Active Member
Originally Posted by earlybird
Heck yeah post that video.
I quote a past poster... "I'd like to see this fast pace action."
 
gatorwpb

gatorwpb

Active Member
I saw a bunch of my nassarius snails on one of the empty turbo snail shells that my hermit had killed. Is it possible they were just fighting for some of the stuff in the shell?
I dont think they have any ability to kill anything.
 
cowfishrule

cowfishrule

Active Member
i had a firefish punch out and within minutes of it touching down on the sand, my herd of nass snails were enjoying an expensive snack.
hey, fish's gotta swim and a snail's gotta eat, right?
 
vpotts28

vpotts28

Active Member
Originally Posted by The J.O.P.
i don't think they can kill. but it is still fun to watch them flip and toss and turn fighting for food!!
I saw the snail flailing around so I know it wasn't dead. All I saw was this pinkish type of tongue come out of the nassarius and then it was an all out feast by 5 of them.
Moral of the story: Make sure to quickly flip any snail that may fall off of rock/glass or it will become food. Again as soon as the video is ready I will post it.
 
jerthunter

jerthunter

Active Member
I read an article and although I do not remember the specifics it basically said that there are some snails, often sold as Nassarius snails, that are actually not Nassarius snails, that are predators. This probably does not help since I do not remember the specifics but you could look into if they are actually nassarius snails...
 
vpotts28

vpotts28

Active Member
Originally Posted by Jerthunter
I read an article and although I do not remember the specifics it basically said that there are some snails, often sold as Nassarius snails, that are actually not Nassarius snails, that are predators. This probably does not help since I do not remember the specifics but you could look into if they are actually nassarius snails...

I have also read that nassarius snails and whelks are very similar in appearance. However a whelk will never bury itself in the substrate. The whelk is a very predatory invertebrate that acts like a snail. Mine bury themselves in the substrate. ?????? Who knows, but if I was sold whelks somebody is in for an a$$ chewing. :mad:
 
bang guy

bang guy

Moderator
Originally Posted by Jerthunter
I read an article and although I do not remember the specifics it basically said that there are some snails, often sold as Nassarius snails, that are actually not Nassarius snails, that are predators. This probably does not help since I do not remember the specifics but you could look into if they are actually nassarius snails...
Illynassa obsoleta are often sold as Nassarius sp. snails. They are omnivores and will gladly attack a living snail if they run out of other food (algae, carrion, etc.).
 
vpotts28

vpotts28

Active Member
Originally Posted by earlybird
How bout that video? ***)
Patience, Patience. I have to figure out a way to remove the unnecassary conversation going on, while I filmed. Its coming I promise.
 
vpotts28

vpotts28

Active Member
Originally Posted by Bang Guy
Illynassa obsoleta are often sold as Nassarius sp. snails. They are omnivores and will gladly attack a living snail if they run out of other food (algae, carrion, etc.).

Bang (or anyone else with advice), all I have in the tank (55g) currently is:
8 margarita snails
10 Trochus Snails
10 Nassarius Snails
7 Blue Legged Hermits
2 Electric Hermits
1 Emerald Crab
I fear the nassarius do not have enough to eat, since they have gone after a few snails. Can I feed the tank? And what would you recommend feeding them? Thanks I would hate to lose any of these guys.
 
vpotts28

vpotts28

Active Member
Originally Posted by earlybird
Don't know but what about pieces of shrimp on the bottom. Crabs might get to them first ?

Just a piece or two from the grocery store? Natural of course. I don't know if the crabs will get to them, the nassarius are fast as lightning when something hits the substrate.
 
frankthetank

frankthetank

Active Member
Can you really stop life from doing what it naturally does? I think most hermits are aggressive in nature. I prefer the scarlet hermit because he's about as peaceful as they come.
You could throw some extra shrimp in there, but even then who's to say that all the hermits would get to it. Maybe half would? The other half are still eyeing your hermits and snails for a meal.
I'm sure I lose a snail here and there.... but I think I lose more turbos from them falling off a rock and can't get up.
 
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