Nassarius Snail (Nassarius sp.)

The Nassarius Snail is a small but voracious eater, making it an excellent addition to your reef aquarium’s cleanup crew. Known for its efficient scavenging abilities, this snail actively searches the aquarium for detritus, uneaten food, decaying organics, and fish waste. A few Nassarius Snails can quickly tidy up these unwanted materials.

With its small, oval, spiral shell resembling an olive pit, the Nassarius Snail is adept at burrowing in the sand, often leaving only its long, tube-like siphon visible above the substrate. Its foraging activity not only cleans but also helps to prevent compaction and aerate the aquarium’s substrate.

Ideal for established aquariums with live rock and a deep sand bed, the Nassarius Snail does require careful attention to water quality, as it is sensitive to high nitrate levels and copper-based medications. Breeding Nassarius Snails in captivity is notably challenging.