Description

Bumble Bee Snails

Bumble Bee Snails (Engina mendicaria) are small, strikingly patterned marine gastropods known for their black and yellow striped shells. They are popular in saltwater aquariums for their scavenging habits and pest control capabilities.

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🐌 Appearance & Size

• Shell Pattern: Distinctive black and yellow stripes resembling a bumblebee.

• Size: Typically grow to about 0.5 to 0.6 inches (1.3 to 1.5 cm) in length.

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🌿 Diet & Feeding

Bumble Bee Snails are carnivorous scavengers. Their diet includes:

• Detritus and organic waste

• Leftover meaty foods

• Small invertebrates such as polychaete worms and vermetid snails

They are nocturnal feeders, often burrowing in the sand and foraging in rock crevices at night.

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🏠 Tank Requirements

• Minimum Tank Size: 5 gallons (19 liters)

• Temperature: 75–82°F (24–28°C)

• pH Level: 8.1–8.4

• Specific Gravity: 1.023–1.025

• Substrate: A mix of sandy substrate and live rock is ideal for foraging and hiding.

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🧪 Water Parameters

Maintaining stable water conditions is crucial:

• Calcium: 350–450 ppm

• Magnesium: 1300–1350 ppm

• Alkalinity: 8–9.5 dKH

• Nitrates: Below 10 ppm

• Phosphates: Below 0.10 ppm

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🤝 Compatibility & Behavior

• Temperament: Generally peaceful and solitary.

• Tank Mates: Compatible with most reef-safe fish and invertebrates. However, they may prey on smaller snails and worms if underfed.

• Predators: Avoid housing with aggressive species like coral-banded shrimp, certain wrasses, and hermit crabs.

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🐣 Breeding

Breeding in captivity is rare and not well-documented. They are dioecious, meaning individuals are either male or female, but distinguishing between sexes is challenging due to their size.

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⚠️ Special Considerations

• Reef Safety: Generally considered reef-safe, but may consume beneficial organisms if food is scarce.

• Copper Sensitivity: Highly sensitive to copper-based medications; avoid exposure.

• Acclimation: Introduce to a fully cycled tank and acclimate slowly to prevent stress.

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Bumble Bee Snails are valuable additions to marine aquariums, offering both aesthetic appeal and functional benefits in maintaining tank cleanliness. Proper care and monitoring ensure they thrive and contribute positively to the aquarium ecosystem.