Thanks Paul and Tom - I appreciate your info. I suspected they were in this family, though why they died is still a mystery - perhaps there was some problem on the journey to the shop. I'll let you know if he has success with any subsequent batches. Regards, Anna ---------------------------------------------------------------------- [log in to unmask] - a forum for informal discussions on molluscs To leave this list, click on the following web link: http://listserv.uga.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=conch-l&A=1 Type your email address and name in the appropriate box and click leave the list. ----------------------------------------------------------------------