Murex Snail
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Specific Name: Murex spp. (also known as Chicoreus spp.)
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Diet: Carnivore – preys on snails, clams, and other sessile inverts
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Pest or Good Guy: ❌ Pest
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Size: 3–8 cm
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Breed in Captivity: No – but can live a long time and cause damage
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Cautions: Highly predatory; large and spiky, may damage other livestock
Description:
Murex snails are rare but unmistakable when they show up—sporting large, spiny shells that look more suited for a dragon than a reef tank. These are not your average hitchhikers. Murex snails are active carnivores, often preying on clams, smaller snails, or any slow-moving inverts they can ambush. Though their ornate shells might tempt some reefers to keep them, they’re best removed immediately to avoid losing prized livestock. They usually arrive hidden in live rock from the wild or on poorly inspected coral bases. While fascinating from a marine biology perspective, Murex snails are best admired outside the reef tank.