Nassarius M Snail
Available for local pickup only
The Ultimate Sand-Stirring Scavenger!
The Nassarius Snail is a must-have member of any reef tank cleanup crew. Known for its long siphon and incredible ability to burrow, this snail lives under the sand bed and emerges like a zombie when it smells food — helping clean up uneaten bits and keeping your substrate aerated and healthy.Hardy, reef-safe, and completely peaceful, Nassarius snails are perfect for reefers looking to maintain a clean, balanced tank while supporting natural biological processes.
Key Care Information
✅ Type: Scavenger Snail / Invertebrate
✅ Behavior: Peaceful and reef-safe — burrows in sand and emerges to scavenge when food is present
✅ Reef Safe: 100% — won’t harm corals, inverts, or fish
✅ Care Level: Easy — very hardy and beginner-friendly
✅ Diet: Carnivorous scavenger — feeds on leftover meaty foods, detritus, and decaying matter in the sand. Supplemental feeding helps in low-nutrient systems
Description
Specifications
Video Links
User Manual
Nassarius M Snail
Avalable for local pickup only
Common Names:
Nassarius Snail
Zombie Snail (nickname due to their sudden appearance when food hits the water)
Sand-Sifter Snail
📌 Identification
Nassarius snails are small, sand-dwelling scavengers with a spiral shell and a long siphon they use to “sniff” out food. Their ability to bury themselves in the sand makes them excellent for turning over the substrate and preventing dead spots.
Size:
Typically grows to about 0.5–1 inch (1–2.5 cm) long depending on species
Behavior & Role in a Reef Tank
Temperament: Completely peaceful — does not harm any tank inhabitants
Habitat: Lives buried in the sand and only emerges when food is detected
Diet: Carnivorous scavenger — feeds on leftover fish food, detritus, decaying matter, and meaty debris that settles on the substrate
Compatibility & Caution
Nassarius snails are 100% reef safe:
✔️ They won’t eat or damage corals, invertebrates, or fish
✔️ Ideal for aerating sand beds and cleaning up uneaten food
❗ Should not be confused with predatory snails like Whelks, which look similar
✅ Care Level
Difficulty: Easy — very hardy and great for beginners
Water Conditions:
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Temperature: 72–78 °F
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Salinity: 1.023–1.025
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pH: 8.1–8.4
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Requires a sand bed of at least 1–2 inches for natural behavior
Diet: No special feeding required in most tanks — but benefits from meaty sinking pellets or target feeding in low-nutrient setups
Tank Mates
✅ Compatible with all peaceful reef fish, shrimp, hermit crabs, and corals
❌ Avoid keeping with predatory snails or aggressive fish that may try to eat them
Fun Fact
Nicknamed “Zombie Snails,” Nassarius snails often lie buried for hours or days — only to suddenly rise and race toward food the moment it hits the water. Their strong sense of smell and surprising speed make them one of the most entertaining and useful members of a reef cleanup crew!