Saltcorner
By Bob Goemans
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Real Reef Rock 

Family Architectonicidae

Heliacus areola

(Gmelin, 1791)

Box Snail, Sundial Snail

Not Reef Tank Suitable

Likely Fish-Only Tank Suitable

Range: Indo-West Pacific Ocean

Size: 0.75 inch (2 cm)

Natural Environment: Generally found in-between the polyps of zoanthid colonies.

Aquarium Suitability: Has a flattened spiral-shaped shell that is checkerboard in color, e.g., somewhat black and white.

Often seen feeding upon zoanthids, however, also may feed on soft and stony corals.

Taxonomy:

    Kingdom: Animalia

    Phylum: Mollusca

    Class: Gastropods

    Infraclass: Heteobranchia

    Family: Architectonicidae

    Genus: Heliacus

FYI: Remove when seen!

 Heliacus areola (Box Snail, Sundial Snail)
Photo © Bob Goemans
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Premium Aquatics