possible cone snail - ID please???

[Emerald]

I picked these two snails up on Saturday and they are sand dwellers without a doubt. The pattern on the brownish one is similar to some cone snails and I want to be sure they are both safe inhabitants!
I could not get a picture of the opening as he refused to to show it. I placed it in a bowl for the photo and even when I flipped it over (with tongs) he doesnt retract. The siphon is over an inch long and total shell length is about 2".
Im hoping the orange spotted one is distinct enough that you may not need a photo of the underside, I havent pulled him out yet.
Thanks for any help!

http://img2.exs.cx/img2/5035/strangesnail.jpg

http://img2.exs.cx/img2/5135/orangespotsnail1.jpg

[Reefmedic79]

Looks like a type of Cowrie to me, but that is just a guess.

[Emerald]

Yes at first I thought it could be a cowry because of the mantle, but the back end of the shell does spiral to a small point. Not sure if that makes a difference or not...

[just dave]

The first looks like a Olive snail and the second looks like a mitre snail.

[mejiggery]

I Think the second is an episcopal mitre snal try this link
http://www.gastropods.com/3/Shell_153.html

[mejiggery]

http://archive.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=346846&highlight=episcopal

this is a link to an old thread about the mitre snail

[Freed]

Can't make out what the heck the first pic is of. If all those triangle shapes are on its shell, I would say that, yes, the first is probably is a type of cone snail. Freed

[rshimek]

Hi,

Well, it looks like "just dave" wins the prize here. The snails are an olive shell and a miter (Mitra mitra). Neither are good reef aquarium animals as both need a lot of specific types of food in the sand (they are not scavengers, but rather predators on worms, small bivalves and such). They will starve after a short period in most reef tanks.

Incidentally, if you put them in a sand bed, they will kill the animals that keep the bed functional as a filter.

[Emerald]

Thanks Dr. Ron, I am relieved that they are "harmless". Do you think its possible to supplement their diet with anything?
Is there any chance one of them might go after any of my fish?
Ive done searches but online info is minimal to say the least.

[rshimek]

Originally posted by Emerald

Hi,

Thanks Dr. Ron, I am relieved that they are "harmless". Do you think its possible to supplement their diet with anything?

No.

Is there any chance one of them might go after any of my fish?

Only if your fish live in the sand bed and are really good mimics of worms or clams.