Nassarius Sand Snails

Nassarius Snail
Nassarius vibex

Nassarius Snails are sand-sifting scavengers that bring movement and utility to your reef tank. These small snails bury themselves in the sand, then emerge rapidly when they smell food — helping clean up uneaten food and stir the substrate to prevent dead spots and detritus buildup.

Quick Stats:

• Care Level: Easy

• Temperament: Peaceful

• Color Form: Grayish or brown shell, often with a long siphon

• Diet: Carnivore – scavenger of leftover food and detritus

• Reef Compatible: ✅ Yes

• Water Parameters:

  • Salinity: 1.023–1.025

  • Temperature: 72–78°F

  • pH: 8.1–8.4

  • Alkalinity: 8–12 dKH

• Max Size: ~½ to 1 inch

• Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons

Why We Like Them:

• Stirs and oxygenates the sand bed

• Quickly scavenges leftover food, helping prevent nutrient spikes

• Won’t bother corals or other inverts

• Fun to watch emerge from the sand when feeding

🌊 Pro Tip:
Unlike herbivorous snails, Nassarius won’t help with algae but are crucial for waste control in sand-based systems. Feed meaty foods regularly if the tank is very clean.