[framerguy]

Snails: volume 2

Mobile Invertebrates fascinate me. I've been doing a lot of research on them and would like to share it in a series of articles. The information given here has been gathered from many sources and from my personal experiences. Sources include: Marine reef aquarium handbook by Dr. Robert J. Goldstein, Marine invertebrates by Dr. Ronald L. Shimek, Ph.D., The Reef Aquarium volume 3 by Delbeek and Sprung, liveaquaria.com, marinedepotlive.com, pacificeastaquaculture.com. The photos in this post are NOT mine. I will post three animals per volume and will try to only cover animals typically offered in the aquarium trade as there are 125,000 known species of snails!

Shelled snails belong to the Class Gastropoda (gastro-poda- stomach foot)

All use calcium to build their shells, so calcium levels in aquariums containing prosobranch (shelled) gastropods should be in the 380-450 range.

All invertebrates are extremely sensitive to changes in water chemistry and must be acclimated very slowly. A drip line acclimation of a minimum two hours is critical for long life. Dr. Shimek recommends 5 to 10 hours of acclimations for snails.

most of the sources agree that one to two snails per 3 to 5 gallons is sufficient. A variety of snails is better than one species to ensure all of the jobs they do get done.

For each snail listed I will give a Genus and common name, maximum size (Sz), minimum tank size (MTS), food and feeding (FF), Reef Compatibility (RC), and care notes.

Snails covered in Volume 1 included: Cirith, Astraea, Nassarius
Volume 2: Margarita snails, Tonga snails, bumblebee snails


Margarites pupillus (margarita snail) originating in the eastern pacific ocean this variety of “margarita snail” is an herbivore from warmer waters than the Tegula funebralis variety, which hail from the Baja California to southern Alaskan waters. The tegula variety is not suited for temps found in the typical reef aquarium. They withstand warmer water temperature for weeks only, and subjected to warm temps constantly they would slowly “cook’ for a short time until they die ( research shows they live well over 100 yrs in the wild). Margarites pupillus is more suited to aquarium temperatures. It’s difficult to know which variety you are purchasing. Tegula sizes are up to ¾” while Margarites p. are up to 1”.
Sz: Tegula sizes are up to ¾” while Margarites p. are up to 1”.
MTS: 1 gal
FF: wholly herbivorous and needs a tank with a good growth of diatoms and microalgae.





Nassarius Distortus (Tonga nassarius)
Sz: 1”
MTS: 10g +
FF: Obligate scavengers on meaty foods
RC: good scavengers, will not harm healthy animals
One of the larger varieties of Nassarius snails, they may live for decades in the home aquarium. They perform useful scavenging chores by eating leftover food, and oxygenating the substrate by turning over the sand bed.




Engina Sp., Pusiostoma mendicaria (Bumble bee snails)
Sz: ½”
MTS: 10 gal
FF: (Engina sp.)predatory on other snails and worms
( Pusiostoma m.) carnivorous, may eat Zoos and
Polyps.
RC: Questionable, see below

Bumble bee snails are sold as and act as scavengers on uneaten food and carrion. Will also eat beneficial worms and snails. There are some reports of Pusiostoma m. eating Zoos and polyps. Not a good candidate for a reef tank. .