This section will detail selections from my notes while I attempt to further study the RSF Nassarius sp. snail. We have a tentative ID on this species as Nassarius pauper however we have no formally accepted identification. My goals through this study run will be to identify and document the life cycle of the snail from larva through adulthood and finally death. These notes are only a subset of what I am keeping, but are meant to illustrate to others who have interest in the study what I am observing. I hope that some of these notes are found useful.
Today I will start by documenting the examination tank, which is plumbed to my master system for stability. The entry below should help with a visualization but I will also be adding some pictures! Enjoy!
Sunday December 20, 2009
3:26 PM
Examination tank prepared, using 2 gallon CPR backpack hang on refugium model AF2SM, inlet tube has been trimmed to rest approximately 2 inches below water surface. Light / moderate flow has been set up to keep water cycling from the larger system. Exit utilizes an overflow design to reduce chance of larval loss. Approximately 1.5 inch sand bed using Carib Sea seafloor grade aragonite sand. Sand is seeded with .3 gram of Formula One Marine pellet otherwise no other sand preparation was performed.
4:05 PM
8 Adult specimens were removed from broodstock tank and placed in the examination tank. One specimen buried itself immediately while the other 7 explored and fed.
Dec. 21 9:00 PM
Fed, noticed response near immediately from 4 specimens with delayed response from the other four. Observed two specimens "wrestling" with the darker shelled specimen acting as agressor. pursuit by the darker shelled snail commenced for approximately 4 minutes until an extended > 1 minute wrestling session commenced. Dark shelled snail appeared to push itself around to the front and bottom of the lighter snail and rest as much as possible (copulation?)
10:20 PM
Lighter colored snail examined during copulation seen resting on upper walls of tank, circled area to check for egg capsule later.
Dec. 23 9:02 PM
Observed egg capsule in circled area. Capsule contains approximately 3 eggs. 7 Adults were found and removed with the 8th suspected to have exited tank through overflow. Will monitor and remove adult if seen.
