Need a snail ID (no pics sorry)

Waxxiemann · #1 07/19/2007, 03:12 PM

I've got these 2 really big snails in my tank that live under the sand and they have round shells with a dark pattern on them (bad description I know).

They only come out when I feed frozen food and then they just book it around the tank like nuts and then bury themselves again.

I got them from a friend. Any idea what they are?

Thanks.

I'll go look to see if I can find a pic online of what they look like.

Travis L. Stevens · #2 07/19/2007, 03:20 PM

No idea, but Ilyanassa comes to mind.

pagojoe · #3 07/19/2007, 03:27 PM

How big? Round, glossy, and cigar shaped? Or round like a ball?

Like this?

http://www.gastropods.com/2/Shell_182.html

Don

Waxxiemann · #4 07/19/2007, 03:27 PM

When they are on the glass, their bodies EXACTLY like the ones in this picture.

http://www.saltaquatics.net/pics/NassariusSnails.jpg

They don't have the point at the end of their shells like the Ilyanassa you mentioned, Travis, the shell is round. It has kind of a leapord/camo type of pattern on it.

The body shape is right on thought. The length of thier bodies when they are on the glass is alsmost 3".

Waxxiemann · #5 07/19/2007, 03:34 PM

round like a ball, sorry, I know it's frustrating when there is no pictures guys.

I'm thinking they are super nass. snails, just in round shells? What do you guys think?

Travis L. Stevens · #6 07/19/2007, 03:48 PM

Funny, the picture you linked to were Ilyanassa Snails

Kannin · #7 07/19/2007, 04:04 PM

they sound like nassarius

Dubbin1 · #8 07/19/2007, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Kannin
they sound like nassarius

Nassarius are not round like a ball.

Waxxiemann · #9 07/19/2007, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Travis L. Stevens
Funny, the picture you linked to were Ilyanassa Snails

I got that pic when I did a google search with that name. I just didn't see any with the round shell. So weird. I'll try and get some pics tonight if my G/F didn't take the camera to the lake.

That's right guys, no G/F all weekend! It's like a holiday for me AND her.

pagojoe · #10 07/20/2007, 12:08 AM

Yeah, Nassarius aren't round like a ball, and they all have pointed spires, at least to some degree. There are some relatives that have rounded spires, but they are way smaller than that. A photo would be great, anything that big should be really easy to ID. The feet of most snails look similar, which is why a pic of the bottom of a snail's foot isn't worth much for ID

Cheers,

Don

The Jawfish · #11 07/20/2007, 02:05 AM

cowries?
astrea?

The Jawfish · #12 07/20/2007, 02:05 AM

cowries?
astrea?

Anemone · #13 07/20/2007, 02:28 PM

Yeah, the "leopard/camo" description makes me think cowrie as well.

Kevin

pagojoe · #14 07/20/2007, 03:48 PM

Astraea snails have pointed spires, so it shouldn't be those. Cowries are shaped like a ball of course, and the description sounds right... but there are only a handful of species that large, and none of them will bury themselves in rubble or sand...? I'm still racking my brain, but may have to wait on a pic.

Cheers,

Don