Description

🐌 Bumble Bee Snail — Description & Care Guide

📌 Scientific Name: Engina spp. (commonly Engina mendicaria)

📌 Common Names: Bumble Bee Snail

📌 Origin: Indo-Pacific region — found in shallow reef zones

📌 Type: Marine Carnivorous Scavenger Snail

🔍 Description

• Appearance:

  • Small, narrow shell (up to 1 inch or 2.5 cm)

  • Striking black-and-yellow bands resembling a bumblebee

  • Shell is thick and strong with a pointed spiral tip

• Movement: Slow but deliberate, often hiding in rock crevices

🧪 Aquarium Care

🏠 Tank Size

• Suitable for nano tanks and larger reef aquariums

• Ideal stocking: 1 snail per 5 gallons

🌡️ Water Parameters

• Temperature: 72–78°F (22–26°C)

• pH: 8.1–8.4

• Salinity: 1.023–1.025 SG

• Ammonia/Nitrite: 0 ppm — sensitive to unstable water conditions

🧬 Behavior & Diet

• Temperament: Peaceful and reef-safe

• Reef Safe: ✅ Yes — does not harm corals or sessile inverts

• Diet: Carnivore/Scavenger

  • Feeds on:

    • Detritus

    • Leftover food

    • Decaying organic matter

    • Vermetid snails and small worms (may help reduce some pests)

• Does not eat nuisance algae like herbivorous snails do

🪸 Tank Setup Tips

• Provide:

  • Plenty of live rock and crevices for them to explore and hide in

  • Low to moderate flow

• Active mostly at night or in shaded areas

• Compatible with:

  • Other snails

  • Shrimp

  • Peaceful reef fish

• Avoid aggressive crabs and snail-eating wrasses

✅ Pros

• Attractive coloration

• Helps clean detritus and uneaten food in crevices

• Safe for reef tanks

• Small size allows it to reach tight spots other snails miss

⚠️ Cautions

• May starve in ultra-clean tanks without detritus

• Not an algae grazer — doesn’t replace snails like Astrea, Turbo, or Trochus

• Sensitive to copper medications and high nitrate levels