Scientific Name Nassaurius vibex
Max. Size: Shell size as big around as a quarter is the largest I have seen. Their foot trails behind about a full shell length as they travel.
Tank Size: Anything from a five gallon nano tank to a 1,000 gallon aquarium. One per 2 gallons is a good rule of thumb as far as tank population/distribution.
Aggression: Not aggressive toward any reef inhabitants, but when it comes to detritus or uneaten foods they are tremendous and relentless scavengers.
Hardiness: Very hardy as long as they are not exposed to high nitrate levels.
Reef-Safe: Absolutely reef safe for all tanks with a 4" deep sand bed. A must in my opinion, as the ultimate sand stirrer.
Available as captive-bred: The Nassarius Snail is extremely difficult to breed in captivity.
The Nassarius snail is a small scavenger with an oval spiral shell that resembles an olive pit, with a long tube like siphon that protrudes from the end of the shell. One of the most ideal scavengers and detritus eaters these snails are perfect for the reef aquarium, quickly consuming detritus, uneaten food, decaying organics, and fish waste. Nassarius snails like to bury themselves in the sand, which will help maintain adequate oxygen levels in the substrate