Nassarius snails pest = pest?

alpha0r · 07/11/2008, 02:43 PM

Some people in my reef club (Boston Reefers) are talking about some Nassarius snails that reproduce so quickly they become a pest. I have looked around the internet and this site but I can not find any reports about this. Someone mentioned they may be darker in color and possibly cold water.

Does anyone know about this pest species? Are these the same as the Atlantic Nassarius Vibex? How do you know if you have the "bad" kind?

seapug · 07/11/2008, 02:47 PM

There is a species that often gets mixed up with the good ones that is a predator. I do know that the good ones should have a nice white/ivory colored shell with a point. If I remember correctly, the bad ones are darker colored and have a more rounded top to the shell. Someone else might be able to provide more info.

edwing206 · 07/11/2008, 03:09 PM

The bad ones are called whelks. They eat clams. Melev had some in his tank but got them out.

http://www.melevsreef.com/pics/0504/baby_maxima.html

alpha0r · 07/11/2008, 04:47 PM

Yes whelks are in the same family but are NOT reef safe. These people say the only problem with this particular species is that it breeds to quickly NOT that it eats the wrong kinds of things.

edwing206 · 07/11/2008, 05:15 PM

But they do eat the wrong kinds of things. Just ask Marc.

alpha0r · 07/11/2008, 05:28 PM

Yes I know whelks eat the wrong kinds of things. I totally agree with this.

These club members assert there is a species of Nass. snails that breed so quickly they become pests even though they eat the right kinds of things. Is there any truth to this or are you saying they are confusing Nass. snails with whelks?

cloak · 07/11/2008, 05:29 PM

Maybe these?

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-11/mg/index.php

kevin2000 · 07/11/2008, 05:42 PM

As I recall nassarius are welks so apparently being "welk" doesn't mean your a nusiance snail.

alpha0r · 07/11/2008, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by cloak
Maybe these?

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-11/mg/index.php

I think this is probably it.
Here is a link to the thread on BRS.

http://www.bostonreefers.org/forums/...ad.php?t=65628

07/11/2008, 02:43 PM	#1
alpha0r Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Salem, MA Posts: 297	Nassarius snails pest = pest? Some people in my reef club (Boston Reefers) are talking about some Nassarius snails that reproduce so quickly they become a pest. I have looked around the internet and this site but I can not find any reports about this. Someone mentioned they may be darker in color and possibly cold water. Does anyone know about this pest species? Are these the same as the Atlantic Nassarius Vibex? How do you know if you have the "bad" kind?

07/11/2008, 02:47 PM	#2
seapug Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: 4980 ft. Posts: 7,954 Blog Entries: 1	There is a species that often gets mixed up with the good ones that is a predator. I do know that the good ones should have a nice white/ivory colored shell with a point. If I remember correctly, the bad ones are darker colored and have a more rounded top to the shell. Someone else might be able to provide more info. __________________ insert clever saying here. Current Tank Info: 200 gallon custom Marineland DD peninsular tank. LPS dominated mixed reef. Previous 90 gallon mixed reef TOTM April 2009.

07/11/2008, 03:09 PM	#3
edwing206 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Shoreline,Washington Posts: 4,518	The bad ones are called whelks. They eat clams. Melev had some in his tank but got them out. http://www.melevsreef.com/pics/0504/baby_maxima.html __________________ The name's Luis. :) Current Tank Info: 50G cube

07/11/2008, 05:15 PM	#5
edwing206 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Shoreline,Washington Posts: 4,518	But they do eat the wrong kinds of things. Just ask Marc. __________________ The name's Luis. :) Current Tank Info: 50G cube

07/11/2008, 04:47 PM	#4
alpha0r Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Salem, MA Posts: 297	Yes whelks are in the same family but are NOT reef safe. These people say the only problem with this particular species is that it breeds to quickly NOT that it eats the wrong kinds of things.

07/11/2008, 05:28 PM	#6
alpha0r Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Salem, MA Posts: 297	Yes I know whelks eat the wrong kinds of things. I totally agree with this. These club members assert there is a species of Nass. snails that breed so quickly they become pests even though they eat the right kinds of things. Is there any truth to this or are you saying they are confusing Nass. snails with whelks?

07/11/2008, 05:29 PM	#7
cloak Moved On Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Stockton, CA Posts: 14,854	Maybe these? http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-11/mg/index.php

07/11/2008, 05:42 PM	#8
kevin2000 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,805	As I recall nassarius are welks so apparently being "welk" doesn't mean your a nusiance snail.