Bumble Bee Snail

 Quick Care Facts

• Care Level: Easy   • Temperament: Peaceful   • Maximum Size: 1"
• Diet: Omnivore   • Aquarium Level: Substrate & Rocks   • Minimum Tank Size: 12 gallons
 • Reef Compatible: Yes   • Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.023-1.025
• Supplements: None   • Coloration: Black, Yellow
• Origin: Caribbean, Western Atlantic • Family: Buccinidae   • Species: Snails

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The Bumble Bee Snail is a distinctly colored small snail with yellowish bands on a dark brown background. It is very beneficial to both community and reef aquariums as it will roam the aquarium eating leftover meaty foods and detritus. The Bumble Bee Snail is an attractive and functional addition to any cleaner packs, as they focus on meaty foods and sifting through the aquarium substrate, where many other snail species tend to eat mostly algae of the rocks and glass.

Its small size allows this species to get into tight places within the aquarium rock work; as well as, its ability to sift through the substrate helps eliminate dead spots and aerates the substrate. This species is easy to care for and provides an attractive and functional cleaner species that is also reef safe.

Bumble Bee Snails do best in aquariums with live rock and a deep sand bed as they generally prefer to hide amongst the rock during the day and forage for detritus and leftover meaty foods at night. This species will not only scourer the live rock for leftover meaty foods, but will also burrow into the sand bed looking for food as well. Similar to the Nassarius snail, this species makes and excellent sand sifter and will help keep dead spots from forming within the substrate.

The Bumble Bee Snail requires excellent water quality and will not tolerate high levels of nitrate levels. Like all snails, this species is intolerant of copper-based medications or high levels of copper in the water. Calcium levels will need to be maintained between 350 - 450 to assist this animal in continual growth and health, where the fleshy mantle of this animal deposits calcium based construction material continually.

Bumble Bee Snails are carnivores that will feed on detritus and uneaten meaty foods both on the live rock and within the substrate. Similar to Nassarius Snails, this species will burrow into the substrate looking for uneaten food or decaying matter. Very good species of snail to use in conjunction with algae eating snails to consume any leftover meaty foods.