Description

Tongan Nassarius Snail (Nassarius distortus)
The Nassarius Snail is a small but essential member of the cleanup crew, best known for its role as a detritus scavenger. Living buried beneath the sand, it emerges quickly when it senses food, using its long siphon to detect waste and uneaten food. Nassarius snails help keep the sand bed clean and oxygenated, while also preventing leftover food from decaying and harming water quality.

  • Care Level: Easy

  • Reef Safe: Yes

  • Diet: Detritus, leftover meaty foods

  • Behavior: Peaceful, buries in sand and emerges to scavenge

  • Recommended Tank Size: 10+ gallons with a sand bed

🐚 Nassarius Snail

Scientific Name: Nassarius distortus
Common Name: Nassarius Snail
Size: ~7/8 inch
Reef Safe: āœ… Yes
Temperament: Peaceful
Diet: Carnivorous scavenger – eats detritus, leftover food, and decaying matter
Tank Role: Sandbed cleaner and detritus remover


Tongan Nassarius Snail - Nassarius distortus

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        DescriptionDescription

        Nassarius snails are small, burrowing snails that spend most of their time beneath the sand, with only a siphon poking out like a tiny periscope. When food hits the water, they suddenly erupt from the substrate like little zombies on a mission — a behavior that makes them a customer favorite to watch.

        Must HaveMust Have

        Why They're a Must-Have:

        Scavenger Supreme: Perfect for consuming uneaten food before it breaks down and pollutes your water.

        Sand Stirrer: Helps oxygenate the substrate and prevent "dead zones" that lead to cyanobacteria or hydrogen sulfide pockets.

        No Algae Required: Great for algae-free systems, since they feed on organic waste rather than algae.

        Zero Coral Interference: Completely reef safe — they won’t touch corals or healthy inverts.

        Notes for SuccessNotes for Success

        Notes for Success:

        Feed-light tanks: Great for fish-heavy or carnivore tanks where uneaten food is a concern.

        Don’t overstock: 1 per 10 gallons is usually plenty; too many and they’ll compete for limited waste.

        Not algae grazers: Pair them with Trochus, Cerith, or Conchs for algae control.

        Best Used ForBest Used For

        Best Used For:

        Tanks with messy eaters (like wrasses or triggers)

        Sandbeds that need gentle stirring

        Balanced clean-up crews that divide tasks

        Description

        Tongan Nassarius Snail (Nassarius distortus)
        The Nassarius Snail is a small but essential member of the cleanup crew, best known for its role as a detritus scavenger. Living buried beneath the sand, it emerges quickly when it senses food, using its long siphon to detect waste and uneaten food. Nassarius snails help keep the sand bed clean and oxygenated, while also preventing leftover food from decaying and harming water quality.

        • Care Level: Easy

        • Reef Safe: Yes

        • Diet: Detritus, leftover meaty foods

        • Behavior: Peaceful, buries in sand and emerges to scavenge

        • Recommended Tank Size: 10+ gallons with a sand bed

        🐚 Nassarius Snail

        Scientific Name: Nassarius distortus
        Common Name: Nassarius Snail
        Size: ~7/8 inch
        Reef Safe: āœ… Yes
        Temperament: Peaceful
        Diet: Carnivorous scavenger – eats detritus, leftover food, and decaying matter
        Tank Role: Sandbed cleaner and detritus remover


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