What happens when a nassarius dies?

[bigdookie]

Do the antennas fall off and harden?
I ask because I have like 5-6 of these spike looking things in my tank that are HARD... they were never there before... and i cannot find any of my nassarius snails (yes i know they burrow) but I can usually see the antenna stickin out. Do nassy snails do this? What could these "spike" thngs be?

 

[reefaholic33]

Google - Vermetid snails, go to the first link that pops up. Scroll down to figure 3. I believe this is what you have as do a lot of tanks.

 

[jamesvishiou]

I just know when somethin dies, it begins to decay. in a saltwater tank, if there are CUC's and microfauna, it would eat the remains. But I am pretty sure a whole new organism wouldn't appear because one died. And it does sound like you have vermetid snails in your tank.
check here: http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-01/rs/index.php