Saltcorner
By Bob Goemans
By Bob Goemans
Likely Reef Tank Suitable
Likely Fish-Only Tank Suitable
Range: Indian Ocean: East Africa, Madagascar and Mozambique, and also the Western and Central Pacific Oceans.
Size: 0.5 inch (1.5 cm)
Natural Environment: Inhabits intertidal areas where mud and/or organics accumulate.
General Husbandry: Occasionally seen in the home aquarium trade.
An extremely good scavenger and usually stays buried in the substrate, which they plow through like a snowplow going through a snow-covered road, and feeds upon found detritus. Emerges from the sand when food enters the water and begins to cruise the substrate areas looking for uneaten foodstuffs. Has a large foot area that helps them glide over substrates of various kinds and sizes, and a long trunk-like projection called a 'proboscis,' which is used similar to that of a direction finder to help locate uneaten meaty foods.
Long lasting creatures, and does not harmed any creatures or algae they travel over, and usually rarely seen until the aquarium is fed. Nevertheless, relentless workers helping to reduce accumulating detritus and doing away with uneaten meaty foodstuffs. Also helps prevent sand compaction/helps aerate the substrate. Does not need any special care or feeding, yet sensitive to salinity changes, as they are very shallow intertidal water creatures, so initially acclimate as noted below.
A great scavenger and one of the more useful aquarium creatures! Recommend having at least one per ten gallons.
Taxonomy:
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Gastropoda
Order: Neogastropoda
Family: Nassariidae
Genus: Nassarius
FYI: This snail is usually collected in shallow muddy pools or tidepools, therefore water quality is not of major importance.
Experience Level: Beginner
Diet: Carnivore
Temperament: Peaceful
Aquarium Environment: Reef or fish-only aquarium
Coral Safe: Yes
Fish Safe: Yes
Invertebrate Safe: Yes
Acclimation Time: Sensitive to specific gravity/salinity changes, therefore be sure to adjust the bag's water to that of the aquarium in which it will be placed by slowly adding small amounts of aquarium water to the bag every few minutes. In most cases, this process should take at least 15 minutes.
Aquarium Hardiness: Hardy
Temperature Range: 74 - 83°F (23 - 28°C)
Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons
Water Movement: WM 1 - 2
Specific Gravity: 1.023 - 1.025
pH: 8.0 - 8.4
