Caribbean Nassarius Snail care guide
Caribbean Nassarius Snail (Nassarius vibex) — minimum tank 40 L, temperature 24-26 °C, pH 8.1-8.4.
Overview
Caribbean Nassarius Snail (Nassarius vibex) is a marine nassa snail of the family Nassariidae, listed in the Aquairi knowledge base as a beginner-level species. Excellent sand-bed cleaner that detects food via long siphon and emerges from sand to feed. Reef-safe scavenger that turns substrate over.
Taxonomy
- Family: Nassariidae
- Genus: Nassarius
- Scientific name: Nassarius vibex
- Common synonyms: Dog Whelk, Nassarius Snail
Habitat
Nassarius nassa snails (family Nassariidae) are marine scavenging gastropods of sandy and muddy coastal bottoms worldwide. They burrow in the substrate and emerge rapidly in response to food, extending a long siphon to detect carrion. In the Aquairi knowledge base this species is recorded from Caribbean, Western Atlantic.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 40 L (10.6 US gal)
- Adult size: 1-2 cm
- Temperature: 24-26 °C (75-79 °F)
- pH: 8.1-8.4
- GH: 8-12 °dGH
- KH: 8-12 °dKH
- Salinity (specific gravity): 1.024-1.026
- Lifespan: 1-3 years
Diet
The species is a scavenger, locating carrion and organic particles around the substrate and burrow; in aquaria it readily takes sinking pellets and meaty frozen foods and helps clear uneaten food from the sand bed.
Compatibility
The Aquairi knowledge base lists this species as peaceful. Suitable tank mates include Reef fish, Inverts. It should be kept away from Triggerfish, Pufferfish.
Breeding
Breeding requires an extended planktonic larval stage in open water before the young settle, which makes captive reproduction very difficult and rarely accomplished in home aquaria. Most specimens in the hobby are wild-collected.