Whelks vs. Nassarius

[earlybird]

Okay found some nassarius snails locally. I want to make sure that they are nassarius and not whelks. How can I tell? They have some large and some small ones. The larger ones shells are a little darker in color and the spiral/tip of the shell is not as pronounced as the smaller ones, not all the larger ones have the pronounced point in the shell. These are at my LFS and I would feel strange trying to bring my camera in. What are the distinguishing characteristics between the two?
Thanks

 

[fishgeek01]

if I am not mistaken, whelks will be pointed at both ends. Look on the new hobbyist section under the list of valuable threads there is a link to hitchhikers threads, you want the first hitchhikers thread. Then that will give you a link to a snails id thread and you will be able to see the difference, in my opinion, not much chance you can get them mixed up, but maybe, if they are as you say bigger, maybe the pointed end could be worn down on a whelk, you never know... let us know what you find out...

 

[renogaw]

one difference is the snout. bad whelks have a dark brown, almost plated look to it. another difference is the foot. my nass snails have a LONG white foot, where whelks don't. and the greatest difference of all is nass snails bury themselves.
go to melev's reef website he's got tons of pics of them.