{"product_id":"bumble-bee-snail-engina-mendicaria-saltwater","title":"Bumble Bee Snail (Engina mendicaria)","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;color:#1a1a1a;max-width:860px;line-height:1.7;\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"background:#FBE9E7;border-left:4px solid #D84315;padding:10px 14px;margin:0 0 14px;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIn-store pickup only.\u003c\/strong\u003e Your order is reserved, we hold off on bagging until you arrive so it stays healthy in its display tank.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eBumble Bee Snail\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003eEngina mendicaria\u003c\/em\u003e, often sold under the older name \u003cem\u003ePusiostoma mendicaria\u003c\/em\u003e) is a tiny Indo-Pacific snail with bold black and yellow bands that really do look like a bumble bee. It is a busy little scavenger that spends its time hunting through rockwork and sand for leftover meaty food, dead organisms, and small worms. Browse the rest of our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/salt-water\"\u003esaltwater livestock and supplies\u003c\/a\u003e and our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/freshwater-invertebrates\"\u003einvertebrates\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo be straightforward about what it does: this is \u003cstrong\u003enot an algae eater\u003c\/strong\u003e, even though it often gets sold in cleanup crew packs as one. It is primarily a carnivorous scavenger and a micro-predator, and it may prey on very small snails and worms. Buy it for its looks and for mopping up leftover food, and pair it with true grazers for algae.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #D84315;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCare Guide\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTank size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 10 gallons and up. An established tank with live rock and a sand bed gives it the most to forage.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDiet:\u003c\/strong\u003e carnivorous scavenger. Leftover meaty foods, dead organisms, detritus, and small worms. In a clean, lightly fed tank it can go hungry, so drop a small piece of thawed mysis or a sinking pellet near it now and then.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNot an algae grazer:\u003c\/strong\u003e it will not clean film algae, hair algae, or diatoms. Plan on separate snails for that job.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReef safe:\u003c\/strong\u003e yes with corals and fish. Use caution with very small snails, tiny feather dusters, and other small, slow invertebrates it may pick off.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater:\u003c\/strong\u003e 72 to 78°F, salinity 1.023 to 1.025, pH 8.1 to 8.4, dKH 8 to 12. No copper, ever.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAcclimation:\u003c\/strong\u003e slow drip over 60 to 90 minutes. Snails are very sensitive to salinity swings.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHow many:\u003c\/strong\u003e about one per 5 to 10 gallons. More than that and they run out of food.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #D84315;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"border-collapse:collapse;width:100%;max-width:640px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon names\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eBumble Bee Snail, Bumblebee Snail, Bumble Bee Whelk\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eEngina mendicaria\u003c\/em\u003e (synonym \u003cem\u003ePusiostoma mendicaria\u003c\/em\u003e)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFamily\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003ePisaniidae (whelks)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eIndo-Pacific reefs\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare level\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eBeginner\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003ePeaceful toward fish and corals, predatory toward tiny invertebrates\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAdult size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eAbout 0.5 to 0.75 inch\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum tank\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e10 gallons\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReef safe\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eYes, with caution around very small snails and worms\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eCarnivorous scavenger, not an algae eater\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStocking\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eAbout 1 per 5 to 10 gallons\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e72 to 78°F\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSalinity\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e1.023 to 1.025\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater type\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eSaltwater\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #D84315;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCompatibility\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFine with corals, anemones, and peaceful reef fish, and with larger invertebrates like cleaner shrimp and hermit crabs. For algae, pair it with real grazers such as \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/red-banded-trochus-snails\"\u003eRed Banded Trochus Snails\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/astrea-snail-conehead-algae-eater\"\u003eAstrea Snails\u003c\/a\u003e, and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/cerith-snails-cerithium-spp-saltwater-cleanup-crew\"\u003eCerith Snails\u003c\/a\u003e, which are all big enough to be left alone.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCautions: very small snails (including baby snails born in the tank), tiny feather dusters, and small worms can be eaten. Pufferfish, triggers, hogfish, and larger wrasses will eat Bumble Bee Snails, so skip them in those tanks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #D84315;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eRecommended Foods \u0026amp; Supplies\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/sfbb-mysis-shrimp-cube-3-5oz\"\u003eSFBB Frozen Mysis Shrimp\u003c\/a\u003e, a small thawed piece keeps it fed in a clean tank\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/nassarius-snail-nassarius-sp-saltwater\"\u003eNassarius Snail\u003c\/a\u003e, another scavenger that works the sand bed\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/zebra-turbo-snail-turbo-sp-saltwater\"\u003eZebra Turbo Snail\u003c\/a\u003e for the algae work this snail will not do\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/saltwater-refractometer-hard-case-atc-salinity-tester\"\u003eSaltwater Refractometer\u003c\/a\u003e to keep salinity steady for snails\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #D84315;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill it eat algae?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo. Despite showing up in cleanup crew packs, it is a carnivorous scavenger. Get Trochus, Astrea, Cerith, or Turbo snails for algae.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill it eat my other snails?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt may prey on very small snails and hatchlings. Adult Trochus, Astrea, Turbo, and Cerith snails are generally too big for it to bother.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes it eat vermetid snails or bristleworms?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHobbyists often credit it with eating small worms and pest snails, and it does hunt small prey. Treat that as a possible bonus, not a reliable pest control plan.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it Engina or Pusiostoma?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSame snail. The current accepted name is \u003cem\u003eEngina mendicaria\u003c\/em\u003e; \u003cem\u003ePusiostoma mendicaria\u003c\/em\u003e is an older combination that is still widely used in the trade.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow do I keep it fed?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn a tank with fish being fed meaty foods it usually finds enough. In a very clean or lightly stocked tank, offer a small piece of thawed mysis near it once or twice a week.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n","brand":"Squeaky's Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48113371087067,"sku":"ISNBU520AA-0","price":2.49,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/Engina-mendicaria.webp?v=1767878382","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/bumble-bee-snail-engina-mendicaria-saltwater","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}