Any Issues with Ilyanassa obsoleta In Your Tank?

SanJoseReefer · 01-10-2006, 04:55 PM

So, I just recently got educated on snails. If you haven't checked, there's a bunch of people on EBay selling "Nassarius" snails. They're actually Ilyanassa obsoleta snails, not Nassarius vibex or polygonathus. They call them Nassarius obsoleta or even just Nassarius snails..which is a little misleading. Anyhoo..got about 50 in my tank right now. I also have 10 Nassarius polygonathus, which look different...reason why I did more research on the snails. Okay...so now you know, if you didn't know before. Question is..will the Ilyanassa (aka Eastern mud welch) snails do any harm? So far, they're pretty active and peacefully...having babies all over the place..chomp, chomp I hear something about them feeding on clams? Any input would help. They're definitely not as attractive as the "real" Nassarius, but if no harm I'll just leave them in there to eat bad stuff.

110galreef · 01-10-2006, 05:18 PM

I got some as well a while back to give them a try and have seen no ill effects in a few months time. I will probably never buy them again though.

Got like 50 as well for $19 shipped.

Thouight i'd try as well.!

Geoff · 01-10-2006, 08:59 PM

it all depends on why you bought them. a lot of times they are listed as great algae eaters. they are not. they are welchs. welchs are either predatory or scavengers. hence the reason they only show their faces when food hits the water.

i do not trust them, just cause i get enough bristleworms in the tank to scavange, do not want anything else.

G~

110galreef · 01-10-2006, 09:05 PM

I got them primarily to burrow and sift the sand. That is what they seem to do. They are hidden under the sand pretty much all day and then when I feed the fish out they pop to clean up scrapes!

markak15 · 01-10-2006, 10:40 PM

i agree that they do not do anything to control algae. I got a bunch off ebay mostly because they were about 1/4 the cost of the LFS snails...figured it was worth a shot. I've had mine for about 6 months and am happy with them. They do a great job at cleaning up the sand bed and taking care of any excess food.