{"product_id":"super-tongan-nassarius-snail","title":"Super Tongan Nassarius Snail","description":"\u003ch1\u003eSuper Tongan Nassarius Snail – \u003cem\u003eNassarius distortus\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Super Tongan Nassarius Snail is a hardworking saltwater aquarium invertebrate prized for its burrowing behavior, rapid feeding response, and attractive cream-to-tan spiral shell. Its most distinctive feature is a long, flexible siphon that remains extended above the substrate while the snail rests beneath the sand. When food enters the aquarium, it quickly emerges and moves across the sandbed in search of the source. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNative to the Indo-Pacific, including the waters surrounding Tonga, this marine snail spends much of its time beneath sandy substrates. Its movement gently turns the upper sandbed while its scavenging helps remove uneaten fish food, pieces of seafood, and other decaying organic material before they can accumulate. Unlike many common cleanup crew snails, it is not primarily an algae grazer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePeaceful, reef safe, and easy to maintain in a mature aquarium, the Super Tongan Nassarius Snail is an excellent addition to reef aquariums and fish-only aquariums with sand. The trade name is most commonly associated with \u003cem\u003eNassarius distortus\u003c\/em\u003e, although closely related Indo-Pacific species may occasionally be sold under the same name. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eQuick Care Guide\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare Level:\u003c\/strong\u003e Easy\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum Tank Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 20 gallons\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/strong\u003e Peaceful\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet:\u003c\/strong\u003e Carnivorous Scavenger\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReef Safe:\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRegion:\u003c\/strong\u003e Indo-Pacific, including Tonga\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eNassarius distortus\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTank Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eProvide an established saltwater aquarium with a fine- to medium-grain sand substrate that allows the snail to bury itself completely. A sand depth of approximately 1–2 inches is suitable for most specimens, although deeper areas may be provided in larger aquariums. Coarse crushed coral and sharp gravel are less appropriate because they can make natural burrowing difficult.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLive rock, moderate water movement, strong biological filtration, and stable water chemistry create an ideal environment. The snail does not require intense reef lighting and may remain hidden for much of the day, emerging during feeding or when it detects organic material in the water.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSuper Tongan Nassarius Snails can be maintained individually or in groups, provided the aquarium produces enough leftover food to support them. Their burrowing helps keep the surface of the sandbed gently disturbed, but they should not be expected to replace normal substrate maintenance or consume nuisance algae. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eDiet and Feeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis species is a carnivorous scavenger that feeds on uneaten meaty foods, carrion, and other protein-rich organic material. It does not normally consume film algae, hair algae, or cyanobacteria and should not be selected as an algae-control snail. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn a regularly fed community aquarium, the snail will usually locate pieces of mysis shrimp, enriched brine shrimp, chopped clam, scallop, fish, shrimp, sinking marine pellets, and frozen carnivore blends that reach the substrate. Its sensitive siphon allows it to detect food quickly, often producing a dramatic feeding response as it rises from beneath the sand.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSupplemental feeding may be necessary in lightly stocked or exceptionally clean aquariums. Offer a small amount of sinking meaty food once or twice per week and remove any portion that remains uneaten. Avoid overstocking the sandbed with more scavengers than the aquarium can support.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Tankmates\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Super Tongan Nassarius Snail is peaceful and can be kept with corals, clams, ornamental shrimp, other reef-safe snails, and non-predatory marine fish. Multiple specimens generally coexist without territorial behavior and can form an active component of a balanced cleanup crew.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAvoid housing it with known snail predators, including many puffers, triggerfish, large predatory wrasses, and aggressive crabs. Hermit crabs may also attack snails for their shells, particularly when suitable empty shells are unavailable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe snail may occasionally gather around a dead or severely weakened aquarium inhabitant. This is normal scavenging behavior and does not usually indicate that it killed a healthy fish or invertebrate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eReef Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Super Tongan Nassarius Snail is considered \u003cstrong\u003ereef safe\u003c\/strong\u003e. Properly identified specimens do not normally harm healthy corals, anemones, clams, ornamental shrimp, crabs, or fish. They spend most of their time beneath the substrate and emerge primarily to locate meaty food. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTheir movement through the sand can be beneficial in reef aquariums with open substrate areas. However, they may dislodge very small coral fragments or unsecured frags placed directly on the sand, so delicate specimens should be mounted securely.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWater Parameters\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/strong\u003e 75–80°F\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecific Gravity:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1.024–1.026\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003epH:\u003c\/strong\u003e 8.1–8.4\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAlkalinity:\u003c\/strong\u003e 8–12 dKH\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMaintain stable salinity and avoid sudden changes during introduction. Like other marine snails, this species is sensitive to copper-based medications and should never be placed in an aquarium being treated with copper. Consistent water quality is more important than repeatedly adjusting the system to reach one exact value. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon Considerations\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRequires sand:\u003c\/strong\u003e A suitable sandbed is essential for natural burrowing and resting behavior.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNot an algae eater:\u003c\/strong\u003e Its diet consists primarily of leftover meaty foods and decaying organic material.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSensitive to copper:\u003c\/strong\u003e Never expose this snail to copper-based aquarium medications.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSupplement clean aquariums:\u003c\/strong\u003e Target-feed small sinking foods when little natural food reaches the substrate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProtect from predators:\u003c\/strong\u003e Puffers, triggers, predatory wrasses, aggressive crabs, and some hermit crabs may attack or consume it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"TSA Inverts","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50812323037482,"sku":"SNAILxNassariusSuper","price":7.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0783\/0873\/7322\/files\/tsa-inverts-super-tongan-nassarius-snail-1249216778.png?v=1784136492","url":"https:\/\/topshelfaquatics.com\/products\/super-tongan-nassarius-snail","provider":"Top Shelf Aquatics ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}