Nassarius graniferus is by far the most abundant member of the family in the Marshalls. A rather nondescript white shell, it is very commonly found buried in sand pockets on seaward, lagoon and pinnacle reefs. Sweeping the sand in a sandy bottom seaward reef surge channel will nearly always reveal multiple specimens. At times they will emerge even during the day if they smell food. They appear to be opportunistic scavengers that will feed on just about anything.
This group must have smelled some food nearby.
This group erupted out of the sand when a cowry containing some rotting animal tissue was dropped nearby.
A pair at Ailinglaplap Atoll photographed by Stan Jazwinski were feeding on fish feces.
Created 28 May 2011
Updated 26 November 2021