Caribbean Nassarius Snail (Nassarius vibex): Breeding Notes

Nassarius vibex is a sand-bed scavenging snail with separate sexes. It deposits benthic egg capsules that release planktonic veliger larvae, so it is essentially not bred in home reef tanks.

Overview

Nassarius vibex is a small scavenging mud snail of the family Nassariidae, native to the Caribbean and western Atlantic. Like other Nassarius, it is a very active scavenger that burrows into sand and waits with only its long siphon protruding until it detects nearby food, then emerges to feed.

Sexing

Sexes are separate but cannot be told apart externally without dissection. In laboratory studies of Nassarius, males mature from about 11.5 mm and females from about 15 mm shell length.

Spawning & Eggs/Larvae

Nassarius snails attach benthic egg capsules to hard surfaces such as rock or glass; each capsule holds on the order of 100 or more embryos. In studied Nassarius, encapsulated development lasts about 9–15 days, after which free-swimming planktonic veligers emerge and require roughly 1–2 months to complete metamorphosis and settlement.

Common Challenges

The long planktonic phase means larvae are lost to filtration, predation and skimming in closed systems, so reproduction is not practical for hobbyists.